Curry's 56, Williamson's First Triple-Double Headline Thursday's Action

Stephen Curry erupted for 56 points and Zion Williamson recorded his first career triple-double as both the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans earned road victories on Thursday night. 

The Warriors, down 11 after the first quarter and 14 at the half, stormed back in the third as Curry ended the quarter with 43 points. He added 13 in the fourth to seal the 121-115 victory on a date that has been kind to him over the years. 

On February 27, 2013, Curry went for 54 points on 11 made triples against the New York Knicks, and February 27, 2016 - famous for Mike Breen’s double bang call on a deep Curry three - saw him go for 46 points on 12 made threes. 

Curry’s nine 50-point games after turning 30 (average of 54.3 points) are two better than Wilt Chamberlain’s seven (average of 58.6 points), and Thursday’s effort tied him with LeBron James and Rick Barry with 14 career 50-point games. 

Curry was a scorching 16-for-25 from the field with 12 made trifectas on 19 attempts. Quinten Post added 17 points off the bench on 7-for-9 shooting. 

Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 41 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists on 16-for-27 (4-for-10 from downtown), while Franz Wagner scored 27 points on 11-for-22 shooting. Wendell Carter Jr. posted 14 rebounds. 

The win brings the Warriors to 32-27 while the Magic are 29-32. 

In Phoenix, Zion Williamson’s first career triple-double led the New Orleans Pelicans (16-43) to a 124-116 win over the Phoenix Suns (27-32). 

Williamson (27 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 13-for-17) was all over the floor, finding open teammates and finishing strong at the rim as he usually does. One particularly impressive play was a driving bucket on the right side where he switched hands in the air to touch the ball off the glass with his left hand. Williamson’s play-making ability is so unique for a player his size, and his second jump going after rebounds is as quick as it gets. C.J. McCollum turned in 19 points (7-for-18), Trey Murphy III 18 points (6-for-18), and Karlo Matkovic put up a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds as did Yves Missi with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

For the Suns, Devin Booker led with 36 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds (13-for-29, 6-for-16 from deep), while Kevin Durant was 12-for-23 for 28 points. Nick Richards posted 16 rebounds with 10 points, while Tyus Jones scored 15 points with 12 assists and 5 rebounds (5-for-6 from deep). Bol Bol, with 15 points and 6 rebounds (6-for-10, 3-for-6 from downtown) showed off his unique skill set. His ball handling ability is special for someone his size as is the fluidity to his game and his perimeter shooting. He has some guard-like intangibles. 

With their 27-32 record, the Suns are now 3.5 games back of 10th place. They have been one of the league’s major disappointments this season and are likely headed for a reset in the summer. 

Around the League 

Bucks 121 (33-25)

Nuggets 112 (38-21)

Antetokounmpo: 28 PTS, 19 REB, 7 AST (11-for-23 FG)

Lopez: 22 PTS (7-for-16 FG)

Lillard: 19 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST (3-for-6 3PT)

Jokic: 32 PTS, 14 REB, 10 AST (13-for-16 FG)

Murray: 20 PTS, 5 AST (9-for-20 FG)

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Mavericks 103 (32-28)

Hornets 96 (14–44) 

Irving: 25 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST (11-for-24 FG)

Brown: 20 PTS, 11 REB (9-for-14 FG)

Thompson: 18 PTS (4-for-7 3PT)

Williams: 26 PTS, 16 REB (10-for-18 FG)

Bridges: 20 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST (9-for-24 FG)

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Lakers 111 (36-21)

Timberwolves 102 (32-28)

James: 33 PTS, 17 REB, 6 AST (11-for-21 FG)

Reaves: 23 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST (5-for-10 FG)

Doncic: 21 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST (6-for-20 FG)

Shannon Jr.: 25 PTS (9-for-15 FG)

Edwards: 18 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST (6-for-12 FG)

McDaniels: 15 PTS, 8 REB (6-for-18 FG)

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