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Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors recently entertained the idea of owning a piece of his favorite NFL team in the Carolina Panthers.
The Golden State Warriors did not need another reminder of what Stephen Curry can do.
They got one anyway.
In a game that demanded a response, Curry delivered a third-quarter surge that not only swung the night in Golden State’s favor but also placed him in exclusive historical territory alongside Kobe Bryant and James Harden.
Curry’s Third Quarter Changed Everything
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Saturday night at Chase Center did not begin smoothly for Golden State. Curry was quiet early, limited to single digits through two quarters as the Warriors trailed at halftime against the Utah Jazz.
That changed immediately after the break.
Curry erupted for 20 points in the third quarter alone, flipping the game in a matter of minutes. He drilled multiple three-pointers, attacked closeouts, and forced Utah’s defense into constant scramble mode. What had been a seven-point deficit quickly became a Warriors lead that never disappeared.
Golden State outscored Utah 42–31 in the period, and nearly half of that production flowed directly through Curry. The run stabilized a game that had been drifting and allowed the Warriors to regain control despite turnovers and an emotional first half.
A Stat That Puts Curry in Rare Air
That third-quarter burst carried more weight than just the scoreboard.
With it, Curry recorded his 45th career quarter of 20 or more points, making him the only player since 2000 to reach that mark. Bryant finished his career with 36 such quarters. Harden sits at 32.
No one else is close.
The statistic underscores something that has defined Curry’s career. He does not need a full game to take it over. A single quarter is often enough. Few players in league history have been able to flip momentum so violently, so quickly, and so repeatedly.
Curry finished the night with 31 points, six three-pointers, and five assists, accounting for nearly half of Golden State’s offense during the decisive stretch.
Why This Still Matters for the Warriors
The context matters here.
Curry returned after missing a game with an ankle issue. The Warriors were coming off an ugly loss the night before. Draymond Green was ejected before halftime. Utah’s Lauri Markkanen was rolling early.
And still, when the game tightened, the answer was familiar.
This was not a novelty performance or a nostalgic stat chase. It was Curry doing what he has always done for Golden State. Stabilize chaos. Bend defenses. Decide games in short bursts that feel inevitable once they begin.
Since 2000, no player has produced more scoring quarters of this magnitude. That reality places Curry’s name firmly alongside Bryant and Harden, while also separating him from them.
He does not just belong in that group. He now stands alone at the top of it.
Final Word for the Warriors
The Warriors have lived on these moments for more than a decade.
Curry’s ability to hijack a quarter remains unmatched in the modern era. Whether the stakes are regular season wins, playoff series, or legacy conversations, the pattern never changes. Give him a window. He will take the game.
Saturday was simply the latest reminder.
And the numbers now say it clearly.
No one has done this more often than Stephen Curry.