Would blowing a 3-1 lead to the Rockets damage Steph Curry's legacy?

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are on the brink of elimination against the upstart Houston Rockets on Sunday night. If the Warriors don't prevail, would that do damage to Curry's legacy?

Golden State had a commanding 3-1 series lead but has dropped the last two games to Houston. In 2023, Curry and the Warriors went to a Game 7 against the then-upstart Sacramento Kings in the first-round of the postseason. 

Curry led the Warriors to victory in legendary fashion against the Kings by, scoring 50 points. The four-time NBA champion will need a performance of that magnitude to reach the second round for the first time since 2023. 

It is fair to mention that over the last two games Curry has shot a combined 37 percent from the field and hasn't played up to the standard of a player of his caliber. 

Furthermore, Game 7 won't be the first time Curry and the Warriors were in this situation. In the 2016 NBA finals against the Lebron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State had a 3-1 series lead and lost Game 7 at home. 

Teams that have a 3-1 series lead end up winning the series 95.5 percent of the time.

Throughout Curry's 16-year career, the future hall of fame guard has played in five Game 7s. Curry has a 3-2 record in those games and averages 32.6 points, 7.0 assists and 6.4 rebounds.  

As the Warriors head to Houston for the final game of the first round, Golden State certainly has the edge in experience. Jimmy Butler has participated in four Game 7s and Draymond Green has been in five. "Playoff Jimmy" is 2-2 in such matchups in his career and is known as one of the league's premier playoff performers. 

It remains to be seen if Houston can handle the pressure of being in a game of this caliber, despite being the home team. Outside of Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, the rest of the Rockets premier players don't have ample playoff experience. 

Curry is without a doubt one of the greatest players to ever step foot on a basketball court. The 16-year veteran has changed the way basketball is played due to this awe-inspiring long-distance shooting and constant off-ball movement. However, if Curry and the Warriors were to lose to Houston after having firm control, it is sure to be a blemish on his already impressive resume.