Stephen Curry just passed Michael Jordan on a list no one expected him to top, and he did it in his first game back from injury

Stephen Curry came back to the Golden State Warriors after missing several games and broke a major record right away. He passed Michael Jordan for the most 35-point games after turning 30 years old. Curry achieved this in his first game back from a right quad injury, scoring 39 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

The Warriors have been struggling this season and badly needed their four-time NBA champion back. Curry showed no signs of rust and played like he never left, picking up where he stopped before getting injured before Thanksgiving.

According to Sporting News, the 39-point performance was Curry’s 32nd game with 35 or more points since turning 30, moving him past Jordan on this list. Jordan is usually the gold standard for players who stay great in their thirties, so this means a lot. At 37 years old, Curry leading this list proves his lasting greatness and ability to score at an elite level for years.

Curry proved he’s still one of the best scorers in basketball

Curry was excellent in his 32 minutes on the court. He scored 39 points while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range, showing he’s still incredibly efficient.

Despite Curry’s amazing night, the Warriors lost the game. They were playing a strong Minnesota team that made the 2024 Western Conference Finals. Golden State led by three points going into the fourth quarter, but Minnesota dominated the final period. The Timberwolves outscored the Warriors 39-29 in the last 12 minutes, winning 127-120.

Curry showed his game is more than just shooting threes. He used pump fakes to get defenders in the air, drove to the basket, and finished difficult layups from tough angles. Few players in NBA history have mastered these skills like he has. Off the court, Curry recently made headlines by ending his Under Armour partnership and entering sneaker free agency.

Curry will need to keep carrying the Warriors’ offense if they want to make the playoffs. The team will rely heavily on him for the rest of the season. His bold move into sneaker free agency shows he’s making big decisions both on and off the court.