Even without Jimmy Butler, who was ruled out due to a pelvic contusion, the Golden State Warriors managed to defeat the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series by a final score of 104-93.
Stephen Curry led the way with a vintage performance: 36 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the field, nine assists, seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal.
They now lead the series two games to one, and they will have the opportunity to put a stranglehold on it when Game 4 takes place in San Francisco on Monday.
Amid his incredible performance, the Warriors made a post honoring Curry, saying, “Wardell Stephen Curry II. The GREATEST shooter the game has ever seen.”
His wife Ayesha Curry reacted by reposting the post to her Instagram story.
Stephen and Ayesha Curry met when they were young teens and have been married since 2011, when the former was still emerging as an NBA star. They have had two sons and two daughters together.
The 37-year-old superstar has seemed revitalized ever since the Warriors acquired Butler in a blockbuster trade back in early February. Prior to that deal, he appeared to be finally showing his age, but Butler has given him the true second star he hasn’t had in a few years.
The Warriors finished the regular season 23-8 once Butler made his debut with them. As a result, many have felt lately that they have become championship contenders again.
They certainly showed some championship-type grit in Saturday’s Game 3. They scored only 18 points in the first quarter and trailed by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, but they fought back and finally took control down the stretch.
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