Stephen Curry delivered another scintillating performance, scoring 49 points and sinking the decisive free throws to lift Golden State past San Antonio 109-108 in a tight NBA Cup contest on Friday.
Fresh off a 46-point outing against the Spurs two days earlier, Curry was electric again, hitting 16 of 26 from the field, draining nine threes and going eight-for-eight at the line. His 14 fourth-quarter points helped the Warriors overturn a late deficit in a game that featured 13 lead changes.
Victor Wembanyama posted 26 points and 12 rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox added 24 points and 10 assists for the Spurs, who led 79-77 entering the final quarter. Wembanyama’s tip-in put San Antonio ahead 108-105 with just over a minute left, but Jimmy Butler’s layup and Curry’s calm free throws sealed it.
Curry said the back-to-back wins in Texas showed the Warriors’ growing resolve, calling them “gritty, gutsy, professional wins.”
Elsewhere, the Lakers improved to 2-0 in Cup play with a 118-104 win over the Pelicans. Austin Reaves poured in 31 points, Luka Doncic added 24 points with 12 assists and Deandre Ayton scored 20 as Los Angeles rebounded from their heavy loss in Oklahoma City.
James Harden produced a vintage 41-point triple-double to lead the Clippers past Dallas 133-127 in double overtime, ending a six-game skid. Harden scored 10 points across the two extra periods in a marathon 51-minute outing.
Detroit, despite multiple injuries, earned a ninth straight win by beating Philadelphia 114-105, with Javonte Green scoring 21 and Daniss Jenkins adding 19.
In New York, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 39 and Landry Shamet erupted for a career-high 36 as the short-handed Knicks beat the Heat 140-132. Josh Hart added a triple-double while Miami’s Norman Powell dropped 38 in defeat.
Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from injury to post 25 points, seven rebounds and 18 assists as Milwaukee outlasted Charlotte 147-134 in overtime, with Kyle Kuzma adding 29 points and 10 boards.
