In the final moments of a tightly contested game, Bradley Beal’s risky move to steal a pass that arrived to Stephen Curry proved costly. With just 3.3 seconds remaining, Beal’s attempt allowed Curry, recognized by Beal as the greatest shooter, to sink a game-winning 33-footer. This clutch shot propelled the Golden State Warriors to a thrilling 113-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns during Saturday’s NBA action, marking their fourth consecutive win and sixth in the last seven games.
Brandin Podziemski, responsible for the inbounds pass to Curry, focused on delivering the ball regardless of the time it took. Curry’s shot was a testament to his instinctive shooting ability, relying on muscle memory to execute the decisive three-pointer.
“I just tried to get it to him,” Podziemski said. “No matter how long it took.”
His 30 points, including nine 3-pointers, highlighted Curry’s performance, showcasing his unparalleled shooting skill. This marked Curry’s 10th career game-winning shot in the final five seconds, underlining his critical role in high-pressure situations.
“You live with it,” Curry said. “Thankfully, it worked out.”
The Warriors’ season has been filled with close contests, participating in six games decided by a single point and 35 clutch games, leading the league in such nail-biters. Despite mixed outcomes in these tight matches, this victory against the Suns was a moment of redemption, according to Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
“We were due,” Kerr said. “We were due for one of these tight games to go our way. But the guys earned it. It didn’t just happen.”
Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points, and Kevin Durant added 24 in a game that remained competitive until the final buzzer. The Suns had opportunities to respond after Curry’s 3-pointer, but could not convert, reflecting on missed chances to secure the win.
Durant, familiar with Curry’s clutch capabilities from their time as teammates, acknowledged the difficulty in containing Curry in crucial moments. The Warriors’ win prevented a season sweep by the Suns and brought Golden State back to a .500 record for the first time since Christmas.
“You give him a look like that for the game, he’s licking his chops,” Durant said. “I still think we could’ve had that steal. It’s a tough play. Sometimes guys are just that great.”
Key contributions also came from Jonathan Kuminga, with 21 points, and Draymond Green, who had a notable all-around performance amid ongoing tensions with Suns center Jusuf Nurkic.
“It’s sad,” Nurkic said. “He didn’t learn anything. It’s just a matter of time. He’s going to knock somebody else again. I take everything back, what I said. He doesn’t deserve a chance.”
This matchup also saw the debut of Royce O’Neale for the Suns and the return of Gary Payton for the Warriors, adding depth to both squads.
As the Suns look ahead to hosting the Sacramento Kings and the Warriors set their sights on facing the Utah Jazz, both teams continue to navigate the challenges of a highly competitive season.
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