Steph Curry Scores 34 Points, Surpasses Vince Carter Despite Injury

In a remarkable display of resilience, Steph Curry scored 34 points despite battling an injured right ankle during the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Orlando Magic on March 12, 2024. With this performance, Curry moved up to No. 22 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Vince Carter, who finished his career with 25,728 points.

For Curry, surpassing Carter holds personal significance. His father, Dell Curry, played alongside Carter for three seasons with the Toronto Raptors towards the end of his playing career. “There are certain names that are a little more special than others because of past history,” Curry stated following the game.

Injury Concerns Amid Scoring Milestone

Despite the achievement, Curry’s night was tinged with concern regarding his ankle injury, which he initially sustained in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. After aggravating the injury in the first half against Orlando, he addressed reporters, saying, “Those are the things you try to continue to play through as you try to build momentum. We’re looking at how it responds, because I did it again in the first half tonight, but I don’t think it’s anything crazy.”

Throughout his career, Curry has faced various ankle injuries, with the most recent incident occurring in January against the Washington Wizards. Warriors coach Steve Kerr highlighted the need to monitor the veteran players closely, especially given that Curry, along with teammates Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, logged over 30 minutes on the court against the Magic.

Looking ahead, the Warriors face a back-to-back matchup against the Miami Heat. Kerr indicated that he and the performance staff will evaluate whether to rest some veterans for this game. “During this road trip, I want to make sure we give them at least one day off,” Kerr noted, emphasizing the importance of managing their minutes as the team navigates a challenging schedule.

Climbing the Scoring Ladder

Curry’s achievement places him just ahead of several notable players on the scoring list, including Kevin Garnett, who concluded his career with 26,071 points. Hall of Famers such as Paul Pierce, Tim Duncan, Dominique Wilkins, and Oscar Robertson are all within 1,000 points of Curry, alongside active player Russell Westbrook.

As the season progresses, Curry’s scoring prowess remains a vital element for the Warriors, who are navigating the competitive landscape of the NBA. While the injury poses a challenge, Curry’s determination and skill continue to shine, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball’s greats.