Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a 103-89 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 7, advancing in the playoffs and countering pre-game doubts voiced by NBA analyst Charles Barkley. Barkley had questioned Curry's ability to perform at a high level due to apparent wear and tear and an injured thumb.
Before the deciding game, Barkley stated on "Inside the NBA" that he believed Curry was too worn down to deliver a dominant scoring performance. He specifically mentioned a previous 50-point game was years past, indicating he did not think Curry was capable of scoring 50 points in the upcoming Game 7.
Barkley maintained his position despite pushback from co-hosts, asserting that the playoffs were different from earlier in the season and Curry's injury was a factor. He also predicted the Houston Rockets would win Game 7 comfortably.
The comments followed a Game 6 loss for the Golden State Warriors where Curry scored 29 points but struggled with shooting efficiency and turnovers while appearing bothered by his right thumb injury.
In Game 7, Curry started slowly, making only one of six shots in the first half. However, he recovered in the second half, scoring 19 points to help his team secure the win on the road.
Buddy Hield also contributed significantly for the Warriors, scoring 22 points in the first half of the contest.
Curry finished the season averaging 24.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. Despite being 37, his Game 7 performance countered the narrative that his age and injury had diminished his capacity to influence a playoff game outcome.
The Golden State Warriors now face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the next round.
