SAN FRANCISCO – Steph Curry knew nothing about the NBA history at stake. He didn’t realize he had a chance to become a quartet of accuracy with Latrell Sprewell, Ben Gordon and Jalen Brunson. So Curry didn’t hoist.

Instead, with Golden State securing the desperate victory and his replacement at the scorer’s table, Curry drove and fired the ball into the right corner. And Moses Moody practiced the 3-pointer.

Curry collected his tenth assist with 30 points and six rebounds. However, he did not break the NBA record of nine three-pointers without a miss. He opted for 8-on-8 from deep. His previous best was six three-pointers without a miss, twice in his career – once in his rookie season and once last year.

But he blamed Raymond Ridder, the Warriors’ PR man, for not having a chance in the 9-on-9 win.

“If Raymond had yelled that nine was the record,” Curry said, “I would have forced one after that, but I didn’t know.”

30 points | 8-8 from three

GO CRAZY, STEPHEN » https://t.co/UJvZISU6rp pic.twitter.com/gW2sDATZBm

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 3, 2025

But that’s how good this night was for the Warriors’ offense.

The Warriors had a shooting percentage of 60.9 percent – the first time they were above 50 percent since the Warriors’ win in Oklahoma City on Nov. 10, improving the Warriors to 8-2. Their 22 3s against Philadelphia marked the second time they made at least 20 in a game since the win over the Thunder.

Thursday’s 139-105 win over Philadelphia was proof that the clock got everything right. The payday splurge after months of passing. The bag of walnuts that a blind squirrel stumbled upon.

“Just to see the ball go in,” Draymond Green said. “We started the year as a great shooting team and then things just went to hell.”

The unusual performance was a refreshing reminder of what was and what should be.

The Warriors, desperate to avoid falling below .500, came out with energy and power. They were hungry. They raced past the 76ers, turning the ball around and making shots. Dennis Schröder made a three-pointer from distance. Moody made four. Jonathan Kuminga and Lindy Waters made two each. That was a potluck.

The Warriors had seven players score in double figures. Of their 53 baskets scored, 42 were without assists (79.2 percent). Only 11 ball losses. At least 33 points in every quarter.

“I needed it bad,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s been a long time since we even shot 50 percent from the field. When we shot 60, it felt like the flood gates were opening for us. Great evening for the entire team. It was a really successful offensive game.”

The Warriors failed to score 100 points in six of their 13 games in December, but they opened 2025 with a clinic of efficiency. It was Warriors basketball the way the basketball gods intended: pace, ball movement, cutting, screening, shooting, a socialist distribution of buckets.

The 76ers (13-19) played their second game in two nights, losing on Thursday in Sacramento. Joel Embiid was well rested against the Warriors after sitting out the game in Sacramento. But he still moved defensively, as if there were a parking cuff clamped to his wheels.

The result was a Philadelphia defense that was far too porous to consider these Warriors’ offensive performance as the start of any trend. New Year’s resolutions only come true when it becomes difficult to keep them.

But that made this night even more worthwhile for Golden State. The Warriors were in a groove so fluid, so powerful and efficient that Curry was actually able to exercise restraint.

“Their defense,” Curry said, “tried to control everything and switch things up.” But we moved the ball all over the place. So at some point you will attract attention. You just have to stay patient. It’s easy if you do them all. It’s also one of those games where I didn’t necessarily feel like I had to force anything.”

Curry had never made seven 3s and only took eight. His 11 shots were the most he had ever made on 15 attempts or fewer.

You know curry. He warms up during heat checks. When he senses it, shots are fired. And with the Warriors needing his scoring touch so badly, he can’t afford to hold back. The Warriors are 5-1 when Curry scores 30 or more points, with their only loss coming on Christmas Day. Lately they can’t win without a 30 from him.

But this was the rare occasion that curry was on the stove, cooling.

Tendonitis in his knees. Tape his bad right thumb. He needed one of these nights as much as his warriors did. Using a 3-pointer and illustrating his false shock with his hands on his head. Galloping across the court after a cross-court left-handed assist. Sitting down and watching the final 7:31 of the fourth quarter even though he was still sizzling.

Same. Stephen. Same

» https://t.co/UJvZISU6rp https://t.co/bqwFFJlBzP pic.twitter.com/ZjWSWz5Y6m

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 3, 2025

Things are much more difficult for Curry this year, about 10 weeks shy of his 37th birthday. The lack of a supporting cast is a concern for Golden State’s opponents.

He’s down to 22.3 points per game, his lowest since 2011-12, not counting his five-game 2019-20 season. His average of 4.3 3-pointers made per game is his lowest since 2017-18.

Two years ago, he shot a career-best 72.9 percent from beyond the arc. Only once in his career has he finished a season with at least 40 shots from beyond the exclusion zone and not shooting 60 percent or better. In 2012-13 it was 54.3 percent. He is currently at 58.1 percent from the restricted area this season. Poor spacing, help with defense at every turn, even fatigue and declining explosiveness work against him.

So what they did to Philly must have felt good. Schröder had his best offensive game as a Warrior. Even Buddy Hield made a 3-pointer. And turned to the crowd with his hands raised triumphantly. (The slump isn’t over yet, though. He’s now made just three of his last 27 from deep.)

It is likely that the fight for the rating will come again. Unless they make more accurate 3-point shooting their normal. Unless GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. makes a trade to bolster their offensive talent. Unless Kuminga and Schröder are on the right track with their latest production.

Until then, Thursday was a fun evening for the Warriors. The beginning of a new year. And the anomaly that Curry made all eight of his three-point shots. Not just for lack of mistakes. But because he had the luxury of stopping at eight o’clock that evening.

(Top photo of Stephen Curry celebrating one of his eight 3-pointers in Thursday’s win over Philadelphia: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)