Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images

Why Stephen Curry’s 48-point masterclass should force the Warriors into major changes

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By James Shearman | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 4:32 PM ET

Stephen Curry scored 48 points in the Golden State Warriors’ defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

Curry has missed nine games this season due to injury, but he has been absolutely outstanding when he has played.

The point guard is averaging almost 30 points per game on 48% efficiency from the field and 41% from three.

At 37 years of age, he is playing better than anyone would have imagined, but the Warriors must not take him for granted.

Here is why Curry’s 48-point performance should inspire the Warriors’ front office to make some significant changes.

Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images

The Warriors front office needs to roll the dice

Curry’s 48 points against the Trail Blazers showed that the Warriors are wasting a golden opportunity.

History tells us that teams need an MVP-caliber player to win a championship, and Curry is somehow still operating at that level.

However, the Warriors could not beat the 11th-best team in the Western Conference on Sunday despite his epic performance.

Name a better SCORER than Stephen Curry…

Stephen Curry has the most 40-point games in NBA history since turning 30!

Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say Comment Like or Comment

If that does not prove that Curry needs more help from his supporting cast, then nothing will.

So, it is now up to Golden State’s front office to make either a blockbuster trade or several minor deals to improve the team.

In pursuit of another title, which would probably be Curry’s last, the Warriors should temporarily forget about the long-term future of the organization.

This would mean parting ways with Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and other young players if the right opportunity arises.

Is Steve Kerr to blame for Jonathan Kuminga’s poor form?

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr knows he has put Jonathan Kuminga in a difficult position

Credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say Comment Like or Comment

What do the Warriors need at the trade deadline?

There are few better superstar duos in the NBA than Curry and Jimmy Butler, but the Warriors are lacking a third option.

Steve Kerr’s team does not have a single other player averaging more than 13 PPG this season, with Kuminga scoring 12.4.

The Warriors also lack talent at the center position, with 48 minutes divided among Draymond Green , Quinten Post, Al Horford, and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

So, the Warriors’ ideal trade target before the deadline would be an All-Star big man, such as Domantas Sabonis or Anthony Davis.

Even a solid starter, like Nikola Vucevic, would take them to another level, and therefore be worth giving up a valuable asset to acquire.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: