Steph Curry believes that the confidence carrying over from last year’s playoff run is the main factor in his ability to flip the switch late in games this season.
Winning is all about execution. But it’s a mindset, too.
It’s one that Steph Curry has mastered in his 14th NBA season, and he only continues to impress.
Because even though Dub Nation already knows Curry as the king of clutch, his fourth-quarter effort this season has been off the chart, pulling the Warriors out of some sticky situations.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“I kind of classify it as being aggressive … What is the defense giving you, and being decisive,” Curry told reporters Friday night after Golden State pulled out a 106-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center.
Curry poured in 40 points against the Cavaliers, with nearly half of those (18) coming in the fourth quarter. His 47-point effort helped lift the Warriors over the Kings on Monday, dropping 17 in the fourth quarter as well.
On Friday, Curry iced the win over Cleveland -- famous “night-night” gesture and all -- and got the Chase Center crowd roaring by going 4-for-5 from behind the 3-point line in the fourth quarter.
Golden State Warriors
Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
“I had one bad turnover to start the fourth tonight, and then kind of understood what the looks and the reads were,” Curry said. “Obviously shots have to fall, but just aggressive attacks off pick-and-roll, getting off of it, getting guys involved, getting to the paint, finishing, coming off shooting.”
Curry makes all of that look easy, but he also explained that at the core of everything, Golden State’s championship DNA runs deep in his veins.
“A lot of confidence is carried over from our playoff run last year,” Curry said. “We understand how to balance the playmaking and the score.”
Curry’s winning mindset and the work he put in over the offseason is evident on the court this season, giving the Warriors reason to believe they can repeat as champions, despite their slow start to the 2022-23 NBA season.
The 34-year-old’s 100 fourth-quarter points this season are the most in the NBA, ahead of Desmond Bane (91) and Jayson Tatum (86), who are both 24 years old, and 26-year-old Donovan Mitchell (82).
RELATED: Eye-popping stats highlight Steph's monster 40-point game
Fourth quarter aside, Curry has scored at least 30 points in nine of the 11 games he has suited up for this season, and Golden State’s current two-game winning streak is thanks largely in part to him.
It’s looking like the reigning NBA Finals MVP is on pace for yet another incredible season, and that certainly bodes well for the Warriors.