5 highest-scoring preseason games of Stephen Curry's career

Unlike most superstars, Stephen Curry plays a lot of preseason games. The Golden State Warriors' offense runs around Curry, and he is the focal point of their entire game-plan.

The preseason is the coach's playground, as it is the perfect opportunity to test different rotations and lineups without the games counting for anything. Hence, one can see why Warriors head coach Steve Kerr would want Curry to play in most games. That's because the coaching staff wants to see every rotation around their star point guard.

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Stephen Curry erupted for 24.5 points per game in the four games he played in the 2021 NBA preseason, the second-highest per-game tally in the league; but Curry scored the most points overall.

On that note, let's revisit five of the highest-scoring preseason games by Stephen Curry during his illustrious career:

#5 October 19th, 2016 vs LA Lakers - 32 points

Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Zaza Pachulia and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors during the 2016-17 NBA preseason in San Diego

The 2016-17 NBA preseason was the first time the world saw Kevin Durant in a Golden State Warriors uniform.

Stephen Curry and Durant got up the same number of shots, but the former dropped 32 while KD scored 27. The game was in Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, where the Bay Area faithful visited the arena to hype up their championship team.

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Curry dropped 32 points on 11-19 shooting, including six three-pointers along with five rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Durant scored 27 points on 10-19 shooting (0-3 from the three-point range) along with six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. Although the final margin of victory was just by 11 points, the Warriors had a huge lead during the game. The hapless LA Lakers squad couldn't keep up with the artistic ball movement of the Golden State Warriors, who cruised to a blowout win.

#4 October 21st, 2016 vs Portland Trail Blazers - 35 points

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant (off focus) of the Golden State Warriors in the 2016-17 NBA preseason [Source: USA Today]

In the 2016-17 NBA preseason finale, the Golden State Warriors hosted the Portland Trail Blazers at the Oracle Arena.

The Blazers got off a great start, building a 16-point lead in the first five minutes of the game before Stephen Curry took over. He started dropping wild circus threes from all over the floor, helping the Golden State Warriors eventually win the game 107-96.

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Curry dropped 35 points in 28 minutes on 12-21 shooting, along with four rebounds and two assists while making eight of 13 threes. Durant scored 28 points on 11-21 shooting, along with seven rebounds, six assists and a block.

Klay Thompson had an off-shooting night. But that didn't matter, as the Blazers couldn't keep up with the Warriors' offensive barrage.

# October 3rd 8th, 2017 vs Minnesota Timberwolves - 40 points

Stephen Curry against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2017-18 NBA preseason in Shanghai

Stephen Curry put on a show against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 2017-18 NBA preseason game in Shanghai, China.

He dropped 40 points on 13-20 shooting from the field, including 6-9 from the three-point range, along with six rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Curry did so in just 31 minutes while registering only one turnover.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves stood no chance against the Golden State Warriors, who put on a show for their Chinese fans. Curry's tally of 40 points was complemented by Klay Thompson, who dropped 28 points on 8-10 shooting from downtown. Kevin Durant also chipped in with 22 points on 9-17 shooting as the Warriors annihilated the Timberwolves 142-110.

# October 2nd 10th, 2019 vs Minnesota Timberwolves - 40 points

Stephen Curry against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2019-20 NBA preseason

Stephen Curry ignited for 40 points against the Timberwolves once again, this time in 2019 when the Golden State Warriors opened the doors of their new arena, Chase Center.

This season, Curry was without Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant, so a lot of people doubted his ability to put on a show without talent around him. However, Curry shut down all his critics on October 10th, 2019, erupting for 40 points in just 25 minutes.

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Curry scored 40 points on an absurd 14-19 shooting from the field, including 6-9 from the three-point range. He did so while also registering six rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block. The Golden State Warriors won the game 143-123.

# October 1st 15th, 2021 vs Portland Trail Blazers - 41 points

Stephen Curry in the 2021-22 NBA preseason finale against Portland

In the 2021 NBA preseason finale, Stephen Curry set a new preseason career-high of 41 points in just 30 minutes.

He shot 13-23 from the field as the Portland Trail Blazers scrambled to keep him in check but in vain. Curry made seven three-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds, along with two assists and as many steals. He also had two four-point plays in the same game.

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The Golden State Warriors won the game 119-97, and went unbeaten in the preseason (5-0).