Honestly, people keep waiting for the cliff. They’ve been waiting for Stephen Curry to finally look his age—37, in case you lost track—and for the Golden State Warriors to fade into a nostalgic "remember when" story. But we’re sitting here in mid-January 2026, and the guy is still dropping 30-pieces like it’s 2016. It’s kinda ridiculous. Just last week, he hung 31 on Milwaukee and then followed it up with 27 in a blowout win against Sacramento.
He isn't just a shooter anymore. He's a basketball institution.
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If you’ve watched a Warriors game lately, you know the vibe has shifted. The "Splash Brothers" era technically ended when Klay Thompson headed to Dallas, but the roster around Curry is... interesting. You’ve got Jimmy Butler and Al Horford in town now, which sounds like a 2019 fever dream, yet it works because Steph provides the gravity that makes everyone else’s life easier. Even in year 17, defenses are still terrified of him.
The Myth of the "Just a Shooter" Label
There’s this weird misconception that Stephen Curry is basically a human cheat code who just stands behind a line and flicks his wrist. That’s a massive oversimplification. If it were that easy, everyone would do it.
His actual secret sauce? Conditioning. Most guys his age are "hiding" on defense or camping in the corner to save their legs. Not Steph. He’s still running about four miles a game, weaving through a labyrinth of screens set by Draymond Green. It’s exhausting just to watch.
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The numbers are still mind-boggling. Right now, in the 2025-26 season, he’s averaging around 28 points per game. His efficiency is hovering near that 50-40-90 mark again, which is essentially the gold standard for NBA scoring. He recently passed the 4,000 career three-pointers mark—a number that felt impossible when Ray Allen retired.
But look closer at the playmaking. He’s averaging nearly 5 assists, but his "hockey assists" (the pass that leads to the assist) are likely league-leading. When he steps across half-court, two defenders usually panic and jump at him. That opens up a lane for someone like Jonathan Kuminga to fly in for a dunk. That’s the "Curry Effect." It doesn't always show up in a box score, but coaches like Steve Kerr know it's the reason their offense doesn't stagnate.
Breaking Down the 2026 Warriors Reality
The Western Conference is a bloodbath. You’ve got young giants like Victor Wembanyama and established juggernauts like Luka Doncic making life miserable for the old guard. The Warriors are currently sitting 8th in the West with a 22-19 record. It’s not the dominant 73-9 era, sure, but they’re a team nobody wants to see in a seven-game series.
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- The Jimmy Butler Factor: Adding Butler gave the Warriors the defensive teeth they were missing.
- Draymond's Longevity: He’s still the heartbeat of the defense, even if he's a bit slower.
- The Youth Movement: Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody are finally getting the minutes they need to prove they can carry the torch.
Why the NBA Will Never Be the Same
We talk about "gravity" a lot in basketball, but Curry literally changed the geometry of the court. Before him, a 30-foot shot was a bad possession. Now? It’s a primary weapon for every kid in a suburban driveway and every pro in the league.
He recently mentioned on the Today Show that he thinks this is the most skilled era in basketball history. He’s right, but he’s also the architect of it. Big men are now expected to shoot threes. Point guards are expected to have unlimited range. He didn’t just break records; he broke the traditional way we think about positions.
The craziest part? He’s signed through the 2026-27 season after that $62.6 million extension. He’s taking it "two years at a time," which basically means he’ll play as long as his ankles and lungs allow. He isn't chasing a "farewell tour" vibe yet. He's chasing a fifth ring.
What You Should Watch For Next
If you're following the NBA this season, don't just look at the highlights. Watch how Curry interacts with the newer, younger defense. Teams are throwing "box-and-one" zones at him more than ever.
- Check the Fourth Quarter: His "clutch" scoring is still top-tier. He won the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award in 2024 for a reason.
- Off-Ball Movement: Watch him when he doesn't have the ball. That’s where the real magic happens.
- The All-Star Game: He's still the fan favorite, and seeing him share the floor with LeBron James in what might be their final few years together is something we shouldn't take for granted.
Basketball has had many icons—Jordan, Kobe, LeBron—but Curry is the one who made the game feel accessible. You don't have to be 6'9" and 250 pounds to dominate. You just need to be the hardest-working person in the gym and have a jumper that defies physics.
To really appreciate the rest of this season, pay attention to the Warriors' upcoming home stretch at Chase Center. They’ve been significantly better at home (13-6) than on the road. If they can flip that road record, they aren't just a play-in team; they’re a threat. Keep an eye on the injury reports for Seth Curry too—having both brothers on the same roster this year has been a cool subplot for the fans, but Seth has been battling some back issues lately.
The window is closing, but Steph is doing everything in his power to keep it propped open with a bag of ice and a 30-foot swish.
Actionable Insights for NBA Fans:
- Track the standings: The 6-10 seeds in the West are separated by only a few games; every Warriors win in January is massive for playoff positioning.
- Study the "Two-Year Window": Understand that the Warriors' cap situation is built around Curry's current contract, making 2026 a "win-now" year.
- Watch the Shooting Splits: See if Curry can maintain a 40% clip from deep while taking over 11 attempts per game—a feat almost no one else attempts at his volume.