In addition to scoring 31 points Thursday in a must-win Game 5, Stephen Curry also made the defensive play of the night, ripping Kevin Durant and scoring a twisting layup to effectively seal the 120-111 victory.
Afterwards. KD was asked if Steph is an “underrated” defender and before he could answer, teammate Russell Westbrook started laughing at the question.
Durant praised Curry’s defense, but was quick to point out that he doesn’t check the League’s top floor generals each night.
Russ, you thoughts on whether Steph is an underrated defender? https://t.co/YLHpDBHNzi
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 27, 2016
"He's pretty good [defensively] but he doesn't guard the best point guards." Kevin Durant on Stephen Curry
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 27, 2016
KD asked if Curry is underrated defender. Westbrook laughed. Durant complimented Curry but: "I like our match-up with him guarding Russ."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 27, 2016
The Thunder are headed back to Oklahoma CIty for Game 6 on Saturday night, with another chance to send the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors home for the summer.
Per The Oklahoman:
“We played with a lot of heart and a lot of confidence and a lot of grit tonight,” Durant said.
Curry’s biggest play came with 1:23 left, when he picked Durant’s pocket on a drive and then finished it off with a crafty layup on the other end, putting the Warriors up nine with 1:02 left, essentially sealing it.
KD, already with 40 points on the night, rose with a chance to slice it to three with 35 seconds left. But he missed it long. […] “Hell, yeah, I want it back,” Durant said. “But I’m living with that. I’m living with that. I can’t think about it. Just move past it. I had a great look. Russell made an unbelievable play, put me in position to knock down the open shot…I wish I could have hit that one.”
