Stephen Curry has spent nearly two decades making difficult shots look ordinary. Wednesday night was another example. The Golden State Warriors superstar scored 44 points in a 119-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, helping his team secure its second consecutive win after opening the season with three losses.
Curry made six three-pointers, grabbed eight rebounds and contributed six assists. Those numbers would be impressive for almost any player in the league.
But another statistic deserves attention.
Curry went 16-for-16 at the free-throw line. And that performance extended his perfect start to the season to 39 consecutive made free throws, according to Golden State’s game coverage.
Sixteen chances, sixteen makes
Free throws rarely generate the same excitement as Curry’s deep three-pointers, but they were essential to Wednesday’s victory. The Warriors needed nearly every point after watching a substantial lead almost disappear.
CHEF CURRY COOKED IN MINNESOTA! 🧑🍳 44 PTS (19 in 2Q) 🧑🍳 8 REB 🧑🍳 6 AST 🧑🍳 6 3PM 🧑🍳 GOLDEN STATE W @StephenCurry30 (15 games) ties LeBron James for the most 40+ point games at age 35 or older in NBA history! https://t.co/LlkdYCLXvT
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2026
Golden State led by as many as 24 points before Minnesota mounted a fourth-quarter comeback. The Timberwolves cut the deficit to four late, creating a tense finish that looked unlikely earlier in the night.
Curry’s ability to convert at the foul line helped the Warriors maintain enough separation to escape. He finished 11-of-27 from the field, including six made three-pointers, but his perfect 16-for-16 performance at the line provided an enormous scoring boost.
For a player already regarded as the greatest three-point shooter in NBA history, the free-throw consistency is another reminder of his extraordinary shooting ability.
Curry’s second-quarter explosion changed the game
Golden State took control before halftime. Curry made five three-pointers during the second quarter and scored 17 points in a stretch lasting just over three minutes, according to Warriors game coverage.
The outburst helped Golden State build a 16-point halftime advantage.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg also delivered an important contribution, finishing with 26 points as the Warriors demonstrated that their offense doesn’t have to depend entirely on Curry.
Minnesota, meanwhile, was playing its first game since Anthony Edwards underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Edwards had averaged 33.3 points through the team’s first four games before the injury.
Without him, the Timberwolves received 20 points from Jonathan Kuminga and 19 apiece from Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. They nearly completed the comeback, but McDaniels missed two late three-point attempts that could have made the finish even more dramatic.
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A familiar opponent comes to town
The Warriors improved to 2-3 and will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday in NBA Cup play. That game will provide another high-profile opportunity for Curry, whose early-season scoring remains a major attraction.
The Lakers have started 4-1, setting up an intriguing Western Conference contest.
Golden State still has plenty to improve. The Warriors committed mistakes late against Minnesota and nearly wasted an otherwise outstanding performance. But Curry’s 44 points were enough to overcome those issues Wednesday.
His six three-pointers will attract plenty of attention. His 16 made free throws might have been just as important. And through Wednesday, he still hadn’t missed one all season.
