There are 8 game winners directly attributed to Steph Curry in his NBA career.
Ever wondered just how many clutch moments Stephen Curry has delivered? The question of how many game winners does curry have often sparks debate among basketball fans. It’s not just about scoring points, it’s about those nail-biting, buzzer-beating shots that cement a player’s legacy.
Tracking these moments gives us a clearer picture of his impact on the game. We will explore this very specific area of Curry’s career. So, let’s dive into the numbers and relive some of these memorable shots.
How Many Game Winners Does Curry Have?
Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors’ superstar, is known for many things: his incredible shooting, his amazing ball-handling, and his overall electrifying presence on the court. But one thing that truly sets him apart is his clutch gene – that ability to come through in the most pressure-packed moments. When the game is on the line, many fans wonder, just how many times has Curry hit that game-winning shot? Figuring this out isn’t as simple as just looking at a single stat sheet, as game-winning shots have a bit of a grey area in the basketball world. So let’s dive in and explore the topic.
Defining a “Game Winner”
Before we can count Curry’s game-winners, we need to agree on what exactly constitutes a “game-winner.” It’s not always as simple as the last shot made in the game. Here are a few ways to think about a game-winning shot:
- The Absolute Last Shot: This is the most straightforward definition. It’s when a player scores the final basket of the game, and that basket puts their team ahead to win. This is often the most agreed upon version.
- The Go-Ahead Bucket in the Final Seconds: This is when a player scores a shot with very little time remaining – usually under 10 seconds – and the opposing team cannot then tie or win. It isn’t necessarily the very last shot, but it is the shot that seals the victory.
- A Shot That Breaks a Tie: If the game is tied in the closing moments, and someone hits a shot, that is sometimes considered a game winner. Even if that isn’t the last shot, sometimes the other team is just unable to match it.
It’s important to remember that different people might use slightly different definitions. For our purposes, we’ll generally consider a game-winner to be a shot that gives Curry’s team the lead in the final seconds of the game, and the opponent cannot win or tie the game afterwards.
Official NBA Statistics vs. The Eye Test
The NBA does not keep an official stat for “game-winning shots.” You won’t find it on the official NBA.com website or in official box scores. What they do track is each shot made. This is the reason it can be difficult to definitively say how many game-winners any player has, including Curry. The record books track the final score, not the shots that led to it. For these reasons, we rely on statistics created by sports analysts, media outlets, and fan communities. Sometimes, what appears to be a game-winner when you watch the game might not be defined as such in stats, or vice-versa.
The subjective nature of defining game-winners makes counting a challenge. Do you count a shot that put them ahead by two with 30 seconds left, or only the one with five seconds or less left? It often comes down to our memories and how impactful a particular shot felt when we watched it, combined with stats recorded by other parties.
Curry’s Documented Game-Winners: An In-Depth Look
While a definitive, official number doesn’t exist, many sports journalists, websites and fan accounts have diligently recorded the instances when Curry has come through in the clutch. Based on these collected stats, we can estimate the amount of game winning shots that Curry has made.
Regular Season Game Winners
Over the years, several sources suggest that Stephen Curry has made a very respectable number of game winning shots in the regular season. While different outlets may have a slightly different number, there is general agreement that Curry has a number of these. Some sources may count as few as 8, but several others are above 10. For the purposes of our list, let’s look at some notable examples that are considered by most as game winning shots:
- February 27, 2013 vs. Phoenix Suns: Curry hits a three-pointer with just 1.6 seconds left, giving the Warriors a 105-103 win.
- December 13, 2014 vs. Boston Celtics: Curry sinks a step back jumper at the buzzer to beat the Celtics 109-108.
- November 3, 2015 vs. Sacramento Kings: Curry hits a tough floater over DeMarcus Cousins with 0.1 seconds remaining to win 103-102.
- February 27, 2016 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Curry hits a 37 foot three pointer to win the game 121-118, and finish with 46 points, in one of the most amazing game-winners of all time.
- January 3, 2017 vs. Denver Nuggets: Curry hits a pull-up three-pointer to win the game with 2 seconds left, 127-125.
- October 29, 2018 vs. Brooklyn Nets: Curry scores a driving layup at the buzzer to win 120-116.
- December 2, 2021 vs. Phoenix Suns: Curry hits a floater over the outstretched arm of Jae Crowder with 0.7 seconds left, giving the Warriors the 118-116 win.
This list highlights just some of the instances where Curry has hit game-winning shots in the regular season. Many of these have become iconic moments for the NBA and have helped cement Curry’s legacy as a clutch performer. Remember, there might be others that are disputed, so this list is by no means exhaustive. Because of different stats keepers, and different ideas about what is a game winner, the number varies, but based on most sources, it is generally around 10-15 regular season game-winning shots.
Playoff Game Winners
The stakes in the playoffs are much higher, and the pressure is significantly greater. Hitting a game-winner in the playoffs is considered even more special than doing so in the regular season. These moments are often the most remembered, and they can be career-defining for a player. So, how many playoff game-winners does Curry have? Let’s look.
- May 9, 2015 vs. Memphis Grizzlies: In game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, Curry hits a three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left to give the Warriors a 100-99 victory.
- May 15, 2018 vs. Houston Rockets: Curry hits a layup with just 3.6 seconds left to defeat the Rockets 104-100, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
While these two are often the most remembered, it is worth noting that many game winners in the playoffs are less “buzzer beater” and more late game shots that provide the cushion necessary to ensure the victory. There are very few “walk off” style winners in the NBA playoffs, and many of these instances happen with a few seconds remaining. While there are some who have counted more than 2, these two are generally agreed upon by fans and statisticians as true game-winning playoff shots.
The Impact of Curry’s Game Winners
It is one thing to hit a game-winner, but Curry’s are known for being incredibly spectacular and important. His game winners have created some truly memorable moments that basketball fans around the world have watched and re-watched for years. These are the kinds of shots that help define a player’s legacy, and they often help in defining the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty. Whether its the “I got him” meme against the Thunder, or the incredible layup against the Rockets in the playoffs, Curry’s clutch plays remain some of the most viewed highlights across all basketball.
Curry’s game-winning shots are not just about scoring; they also show his mental toughness and ability to thrive under pressure. Players who can do this tend to be the most loved by fans, and the most feared by opponents. In this regard, Curry stands near the very top of the list when it comes to clutch players. He has a well-deserved reputation for being able to make the shots when they matter most.
More Than Just Game Winners
While game winners are exciting, it’s crucial to remember that a player’s overall impact extends far beyond just those final shots. Curry’s influence on the game goes much deeper. His ability to consistently hit from deep, and create plays for his teammates makes him invaluable. Even without the highlight-reel shots, his impact on the team’s success is profound. Curry often makes shots before the final second that make game-winning plays possible, or they make the opponent’s final shot difficult. His game is so well-rounded that focusing on just game winners would be a mistake. He is a complete and incredibly unique player.
He is known for creating space and opportunities for his teammates. This is something that doesn’t necessarily show up in the stats, but it definitely helps them win. His ability to draw multiple defenders, and create opportunities for others is very impressive, and it is not just the late game shots that are critical for the Warriors.
So, while it’s fun to count his game-winning shots, we should also appreciate his all-around game. It’s what makes him one of the best players to ever play the game.
In closing, while pinning down an exact number of game-winning shots for Stephen Curry is tricky due to differing definitions and a lack of an official NBA statistic, we know he has a collection of truly memorable, and amazing shots that will forever be a part of his legacy. These shots and his all-around excellent game are a big part of why he’s considered one of the greatest basketball players ever.
All 10 Stephen Curry Game-Winning Shots of His Career! 👀
Final Thoughts
Stephen Curry boasts a career filled with clutch performances. While pinpointing an exact number is tricky due to varying definitions, it’s clear he has sunk many buzzer-beaters. The NBA database might not officially categorize every one.
Figuring out how many game winners does Curry have is a common question among fans. Many sources suggest a range, highlighting the difficulty in precise counting. His impressive skill often makes the end of games very exciting.
Ultimately, while the specific figure remains debated, we know he has multiple game-winners. The impact of his incredible shots are what people remember most. How many game winners does Curry have is less significant than his impact during those moments.
