Stephen Curry described playing his 13th Christmas Day game as a “great honor,” noting the unique energy of the holiday and starting it at home. “It is a different energy, all around the arena… especially when you get a win,” he said after the Warriors’ 126-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Curry marked his 26,000th career point in the game, saying, “I didn’t know going into it, which is great… just happy to be a part of that chase to see how far I can get up there.” He reflected on the milestone without placing extra emphasis on it.
Facing his former teammate Klay Thompson brought a sentimental moment for Curry. “It will never be normal, seeing him somewhere else… but we’re all trying to deal with the here and now,” he said, recalling a brief meeting at midcourt before the game.
Curry praised the Warriors’ ball movement, which led to 33 assists despite a rough shooting night. “If you take care of the ball and get good possessions… you give yourself a good chance to weather the storm if you’re not making shots,” he explained, emphasizing the team’s organized chaos and collaboration with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
He highlighted Al Horford’s return as a game-changing factor. “That run that they had basically won us the game… it was a difference in giving us a little bit of separation where we could have that cushion the rest of the game,” Curry said, noting Horford’s ability to hit multiple threes and open the floor for teammates.
Curry also acknowledged the team’s progress after recent internal conflicts. “They [Steve and Draymond] handled yesterday at practice well and we responded well as a team… as professionals, you come back and approach the next day with a fresh start,” he said.
On developing young talent, Curry praised Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg. “I saw him at my camp a couple years back and then I saw him again at uh the USA select team last summer… future’s bright. Plays well beyond his years and you can tell his basketball IQ,” he said after Flagg scored 27 points in his Christmas Day debut.
Curry reflected on the overall importance of consistency and preparation. “We have to continue to obsess over the details… take care of the ball, take good shots, use each other to create good looks, and stay locked in on effort and energy,” he said, noting the value of team chemistry and stability in rotations after injuries.
He concluded by appreciating the personal and professional significance of the day. “It’s been a great, blessed day… just so fortunate to play this game and now get to hang out with my family and enjoy Christmas,” Curry said.
