Warriors’ Curry explodes for career-high 62 points

Nick Friedell is the Chicago Bulls beat reporter for ESPN Chicago. Friedell is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and joined ESPNChicago.com for its launch in April 2009.

After struggling to find a rhythm through the first week of the season, Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry exploded for a career-high 62 points in a 137-122 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Curry went 18-for-31 from the field, 8-for-16 from beyond the arc and 18-for-19 from the free throw line to go with five rebounds and four assists in 36 minutes.

According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Curry is the first player with 62 or more points in 36 minutes or fewer since Kobe Bryant also had 62 points in 33 minutes on Dec. 20, 2005, against the Mavericks.

Curry started off the game hitting from all over the floor, scoring 22 points in the first quarter. It marked the 27th time he has scored 20 or more points in a quarter during his career.

The Blazers had no answer for Curry’s dominance as the All-Star guard found enough space to launch the patented long-range shots that have defined his career. After one 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter, Curry held up his follow through and looked up in the seats, covered on one end of the arena by large blue tarps, trying to generate the excitement that hovered over so many of his performances at Oracle Arena in Oakland.

After hitting his eighth 3 of the game with just under a minute left, Curry excitedly raced down the floor with his arms down by side and was greeted by a smiling Draymond Green.

Curry checked out soon thereafter and received hugs from his teammates on the Warriors bench. After the game ended, Blazers players offered Curry congratulations and Blazers star Damian Lillard offered a hug on his way off the floor.

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