USA Basketball #SplashBrothers Report: Stephen Curry Human Torch Mode vs Mexico 2nd Half (Photo: @NBA)
PALAU SANT JORDI, BARCELONA, SPAIN — This is a continuation of the #SplashBrothers report from the 1st half against Mexico.
It took six games, but Stephen Curry finally reached #HumanTorch mode.
“You have to be ready and locked in and focused, whether you’re on the bench or whether you’re playing,” Curry said after USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team defeated Ukraine on Thursday night, “because you never know when your number is going to be called, when there’s going to be a big moment for you, or a big shot that you have to take.”
That big moment came in the third quarter this afternoon in Barcelona against Mexico. More specifically, with under seven minutes to go with his fourth three-pointer of the game.
About thirty seconds later, he hit another one.
Then there was the behind-the-back play to a cutting Kenneth Faried, who blew the layup and the assist.
It made Curry clap vigorously, simultaneously in frustration and encouragement — perhaps the only player who can get away with those two opposite emotions in one gesture.
Curry then made a drive along the right side of the paint, then hit another three.
In less than three minutes of play, he had tallied 11 points to bring his total to 20.
Thompson checked in at 4:21 for another instance of #SplashBrothers, but the duo only shared the floor for about two minutes as Curry checked out with 2:35 remaining in the 3rd.
Thompson hit two more threes but showed his deadly capabilities on a miss, where he received a pass on the wing and, all in one motion, brought the pass to shooting level and launched the three-pointer. The shot rimmed off, but there is no doubt that Thompson has one of the quickest releases on the planet.
Thompson finished with 15 points on 3-for-9 three-pointerse, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 turnovers.
But this was all about Curry torching Mexico for 11 of USA’s 24 third-quarter points and extending a 15-point lead at halftime to 28 by the start of the fourth quarter.
Curry totaled 20 points on 6-for-9 from downtown, plus 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 0 turnovers.
Stay tuned for more post-game reaction from Team USA and Mexico.
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