Stephen Curry ‘flattered’ that the Hornets ‘didn’t play real basketball’ against him

ByNBAUSA



When is it Charlotte Hornets dragged into the Chase Center on Saturday night, they brought a defensive game plan that looked less like a traditional NBA scheme and more like a frenetic game. The goal? Stephen Curry.

The Golden State Warriors the superstar found himself at the center of a defensive circus as Charlotte used “unbelievable” tactics to keep the ball out of his hands. From full-court face-saving to triple-teaming before he’s even crossed half court, the Hornets have made it clear they want to be beaten by anyone but Curry. Although the strategy was aggressive, Curry was not frustrated; he was actually having fun.

“There’s a part of you that fights it just because it’s not real basketball,” Curry said after the Warriors’ 136-116 victory. “But there’s also a part of it that’s flattering … knowing that you demand so much attention and what that does to create shots for other guys.”

The “other guys” certainly took advantage of the extra breathing room. With the Hornets obsessed with Curry, the rest of Golden State’s roster went to work.

De’Anthony Melton led the way with a season-high 24 points, while Draymond Green added 20 of his own. In total, eight Warriors scored in double figures as a team made history by having at least 10 different players hit a 3-pointer for the third straight game, an NBA record.

Despite the defensive headache, Curry remained effective when he found daylight. He finished the night with 14 points and a pair of assists, orchestrating a 20-5 run in the third quarter that broke the game open after Charlotte cut the lead to three.

For the Hornets, Brandon Miller’s 28 points wasn’t enough to make up for a defensive flop that left the rest of the Warriors wide open. As Golden State moves to 5-1 on its current play, Curry’s “gravity” remains the most dangerous weapon in basketball, even when he’s not the one putting the ball in the hoop.





2026-01-18 15:44:00

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