Steph Curry delivered one of those history-making nights.
The 36-year-old hit 12 three-pointers as the Golden State Warriors outclassed the Orlando Magic on Thursday.
Curry went off for a season-high 56 points in the Warriors’ 121-115 victory.
The night was dominated by the four-time NBA champion, who outscored the entire Magic team in the third quarter by 22 points to 21.
His best moment came as the two-time MVP hit a buzzer beater half-court shot at the end of the second quarter.
What makes Curry’s display even more stunning is that his 56 points came from just 25 shots — the the second-fewest in NBA history to hit 55-plus points.
Only James Harden needed less when he recorded 60 points in 24 shots with the Houston Rockets in 2019.
“We’re spoiled around here,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
“We’re used to it, but it never gets old watching, I can tell you that. I think the fans here tonight, even the Magic fans, they know they’re witnessing the greatest shooter ever and one of the greatest performers ever.
“It’s not just the shots going in, it’s just the fluidity, the beauty of his movement and motion and his audacity, the shots that he’s willing to take.”
Curry ended the night with 12 three-pointers as he eviscerated the Magic but fans of Orlando should have known what was coming when they checked the date.
Curry has scored at least 45 points on February 27 three times.
The first of these three games came in 2013 when Curry recorded 54 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The second came against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 when he scored 46. That night also saw possibly the most famous shot of Curry’s career — a go-ahead 37-foot 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left in overtime.
“I guess I do like this calendar day,” Curry said.
“I had my first 50-point game in the Garden. So I have to channel February 27th energy all the time.
“I don’t know what it is, but tonight was different just because we needed all of them to kind of stay afloat and give ourselves a chance and then a lot of guys contributed down the stretch to help us win.
“But it’s nice to have a flurry like that and have fun with it.”
Curry’s half century means he has nine games with over 50 points since turning 30 — Wilt Chamberlain is next in the list with seven and Michael Jordan only had five.
Next for the Warriors is a trip to Philadelphia to take on the struggling 76ers on Saturday.
Jimmy Buttler’s arrival has awoken a beast in Curry, it could be a long night for the hosts.
