The Warriors are infinitely better when Steph Curry is on the floor.
Dub Nation knows this to be true, and the claim is backed up by shocking statistics from the NBA Finals. Through three games in the series against the Boston Celtics, the Warriors’ offensive rating is significantly better when Curry is playing.
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You read that right.
Golden State would rank first in offense this season with the 116.8 rating Curry helps create, and the team’s 91.5 rating with Steph on the bench would rank dead last not just this season, but across the last 50 seasons.
Curry’s minutes in the Finals have been a talking point for many, with some saying his 38 minutes in Game 1 simply weren’t enough if the Warriors want to take home the title.
His playing time decreased to 32 minutes in Game 2 as Golden State blew out Boston, and in their Game 3 loss Wednesday night, Curry played in 37 minutes before being hurt on a play in the fourth quarter. He was able to play for two more minutes before being pulled.
Golden State Warriors
Curry has been the best player on the court throughout the Finals, averaging 31.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists across the series' first three games. Still, the Warriors are in a two-games-to-one hole as they try to even the best-of-seven series with Game 4 on Friday night at TD Garden.
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Despite the injury Curry suffered on Wednesday, the Warriors superstar on Thursday declared he will be on the court in Game 4 and was determined to be good to go with no restrictions ahead of Friday's pivotal matchup.
That's good news for Dub Nation because as the stats show, Golden State is a far greater offensive threat with Curry on the court. And if they want to win the Finals, his playing time is pertinent.