NBA Game Notes (March 15, 2023)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on March 15, 2023.

Curry Cooks, Clippers Win

The LA Clippers withstood a 50-point performance from Stephen Curry to defeat the Golden State Warriors 134-126. The Clippers have won four consecutive games to take over sole possession of fifth place in the Western Conference standings, just a half-game behind the fourth-place Phoenix Suns.

Curry is the sixth player in NBA history to record a 50-point game after his 35th birthday (a total of seven instances):

• LeBron James (2 times)

• Jamal Crawford

• Michael Jordan

• Kobe Bryant

• Alex English

• Stephen Curry

It was Curry’s 12th career 50-point game, breaking a tie with Allen Iverson for the ninth-most such games in NBA history. Rick Barry and LeBron James are directly above Curry on the all-time list, each with 14 such games.

Curry shot 20-28 from the field with eight 3-pointers made, an effective field goal percentage of 85.7%. It’s the ninth time Curry has scored at least 50 points with an effective field goal percentage of 75%, snapping a tie with Wilt Chamberlain for the most such games in NBA history.

Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points to lead the Clippers, adding eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Leonard shot 10-19 from the field and made all seven of his free throws. Since scoring a season-low six points on January 5, Leonard has averaged 28.6 PPG on 53/50/91 shooting over his last 25 games.

Leonard was one of six Clippers to score at least 15 points:

• 30 — Kawhi Leonard

• 24 — Paul George

• 19 — Ivica Zubac

• 17 — Terance Mann

• 16 — Eric Gordon

• 15 — Russell Westbrook

That matches the most such players in a single game in franchise history (11 previous instances).

The Warriors dropped their ninth consecutive road game, falling to 7-27 away from home this season. The Warriors — who are 29-7 at Chase Center — have more home wins than the team with the NBA’s best overall record (Milwaukee Bucks) and as many road losses as the team with the NBA’s worst overall record (Detroit Pistons).