Steph Curry has worst ever performance in blockbuster NBA clash

Steph Curry has started the season on fire for Golden State but he crashed back to earth in the biggest game of the season so far.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a missed shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on November 30, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 104-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Steph Curry chose a bad night to have one of the worst performances of his career.

The Golden State Warriors star has started the NBA season on fire and is the raging favourite for MVP but he produced an awful shooting display against a fellow championship contender.

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The Warriors faced the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, in what was billed as a clash between the two most in-form teams in the NBA.

But Curry went missing in the biggest game of the season so far as the Suns put the clamps on him to claim a 104-96 victory, equalling the franchise record of 17 consecutive wins.

Curry was struggling to score early and he only managed eight points for the game, shooting four out of 21 attempts on 19 per cent accuracy — his worst ever shooting percentage in a game where he has taken 20 or more shots.

The two-time MVP also had two uncharacteristic airballs from three-point attempts that were well off the mark.

Stephen Curry had the worst shooting night of his career when taking at least 20 shots 🤯 pic.twitter.com/b6dnbJ2yvt

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 1, 2021

Haven't seen this many bad misses from Curry in I don't know how long

— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) December 1, 2021

Stephen Curry has as many air balls as he does made three-pointers tonight. Rare off night for him ongoing.

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 1, 2021

Yikes Curry is OFF

— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 1, 2021

Credit must be given to Mikal Bridges who only had two points himself but contributed with four steals and defended Curry closely for the entire game to rocket into contention for the Defensive Player of the Year.

Mikal Bridges = the Curry stopper

— Justin Morris (@Justin_JM12) December 1, 2021

Mikal Bridges has flat-out dominated Stephen Curry. Cannot do anything against him. Has been giving it up early. Incredible.

— Scott Chasen (@ChasenScott) December 1, 2021

But in perhaps a more worrying sign, the Warriors turned the ball over to the Suns 23 times.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr benched Curry for large portions of the game and despite his poor shooting, Golden State stayed in touch up until the latter stages of the fourth quarter.

But as they have all season, Phoenix dominated crunch time as Chris Paul (15 points, 11 assists) and Jae Crowder (14 points, four three-pointers) proved crucial down the stretch.

Making the victory all the more impressive was the fact the Suns did it largely without superstar Devin Booker, who injured his left hamstring in the second quarter and played no further part in the game.

It was the first time Golden State had been held under 100 points this season and also the first time they haven’t cracked the century in 43 games, stretching back to last season.

Steph Curry (left) had an awful shooting display against Phoenix. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

The result sees Phoenix leapfrog the Warriors to first in the Western Conference standings, although both teams are equal on 18 wins.

“Losses definitely jolt the system a bit,” Curry said after the game.

“We’d rather win, but they’re the Western Conference reigning champs for a reason. They’re good.”

Kerr said the loss showed other players need to take their opportunities when opposition teams target Curry on defence.

“When teams are going to commit people to Steph, there are going to be openings. There are going to be openings for Jordan (Poole), openings for Otto (Porter), and openings for Klay Thompson,” he said.

“That’s going to be fun.”

Curry and the Warriors will get a chance to bounce back when they face the Suns again on Saturday (AEDT) in another preview of what looms as a likely match-up for the Western Conference finals.

Originally published as Steph Curry has worst ever performance in blockbuster NBA clash