Stephen Curry scores 56 points two weeks ahead of 37th birthday

Curry sank 12 three-pointers and scored 56 points as the Golden State Warriors beat the Orlando Magic, 121-115. It's the fourth-highest point total of Curry's career, and his ninth game of 50+ points since turning 30, which is the most in NBA history (Wilt Chamberlain did it seven times).

The Warriors needed almost every one of those points in a game where the Magic shot 15-for-18 in the first quarter, and took a 17-point lead before halftime. But the game turned around when Curry sank an incredible buzzer-beater from beyond halfcourt to end the first half.

The Warriors rode the momentum from that shot to a spectacular third quarter. They opened with a 33-9 run, capped by nine straight points by Curry on two three-pointers and a three-shot foul. He scored 22 points in the quarter.

Down the stretch, Curry held off the Magic almost by himself, sinking three triples in the final 4:01, the last one coming when Orlando had cut the lead to two points. But there's something about games played on Feb. 27 that brings out the best in Curry.

On Feb. 27, 2013, Curry scored 54 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, making 11 of his 13 threes.

On Feb. 27, 2016, Curry scored 46 points and made 12 three-pointers in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, sinking the game-winner from just inside the halfcourt line.

It's the third time Curry has made 12 or more three-pointers in a game, and two of them have come on Feb. 27. He may be getting old, but in his final days of being 36, Curry is proving he can shoot the lights out — even against the NBA's No. 1 defense entering Thursday. Too bad they didn't catch Curry on Feb. 28.