Dub Hub: Steph Curry embraces ‘February 27th energy’ after 56-point explosion vs. Magic

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Friday, February 28th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steph Curry embraces “February 27th energy” following his 56-point performance in Thursday night’s win over the Magic.
• Draymond Green says the Warriors are in “playoff mode” for the final stretch of the regular season.
• Pelicans’ Zion Williamson records his first career triple-double in 124-116 win vs. Suns.

For Stephen Curry, February 27th is more than just another date on the calendar—it’s apparently a night for historic performances.

In the Golden State Warriors’ 121-115 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, Curry dropped a season-high 56 points while shooting 16-of-25 from the field, including 12-of-19 from the three-point line and 12-of-12 from the free-throw line. After the game, he reflected on the significance of the date, which also marks the anniversaries of his legendary “Double Bang” game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 and his first 50-point performance at Madison Square Garden in 2013 against the New York Knicks.

For Curry and Warriors fans everywhere, February 27th will be a date synonymous with greatness. Golden State will gladly take more of that energy as they continue to push toward the postseason.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, February 28th:

Warriors News:

Steph Curry, Draymond and more react to Warriors’ win over Magic | NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry electrifies Orlando arena and Warriors locker room with 56-point performance | The Athletic

“We came into halftime knowing we were going to win the game,” Butler said.

Curry scored 22 third-quarter points, his 42nd career 20-point quarter. When he checked out with 2:21 left in the third quarter, he already had 43 points and, during his surge, the Warriors had gone from down 17 to up 9, winning the crowd and upping his teammates’ intensity with every made 3.

“It makes everyone want to be great on the defensive side, so we can get him the ball back and watch him do something incredible,” Butler said.

Post dishes hilarious dig at Steph after 56-point outburst vs. Magic | NBC Sports Bay Area

“It’s unbelievable,” Post told reporters, sincerely at first. “You just give him the ball and get out of the way. How many points did he have — 56. Is that his career high?”

After being told Curry came up short of his 62 points in 2021, Post dryly changed his tune.

“Then I guess he could have been better,” he quipped, before returning to genuine admiration of his teammate. “But no, it’s insane. I’ve never seen something like that in person.”

Steph admits he’s still chasing Klay’s single-game 3-point record | NBC Sports Bay Area

Curry made 12 3-pointers in his highlight-reel-filled performance, just two shy from tying his Splash Bro and former Warriors teammate Klay Thompson’s NBA record of 14 3s in a game and three away from breaking it. Even in Year 16, Curry admitted that record remains on his mind.

“Still chasing the 14, though,” Curry told reporters postgame in Orlando. “So [Thompson] still got me on that.”

Draymond Green on the Warriors’ mentality for the final stretch of the regular season: “We’re in playoff mode”

NBA News:

Buss: Important to keep Lakers’ Luka Doncic trade talks quiet | ESPN

Mavericks general manager and president of basketball operations Nico Harrison first approached Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka with the trade concept on Jan. 7 when the Lakers were in Dallas. The trade was agreed upon 3½ weeks later, with Harrison, Pelinka, Buss and Mavericks ownership the only ones privy to discussions until Feb. 1, when the deal was finished.

“The trade deadline is part of the business. It increases the level of stress for everybody,” Buss said. “And I’m really proud that it didn’t leak out and that we were able to execute the trade in a way that still was surprising to all the parties involved. But that goes with this business.”

Gregg Popovich visits with Spurs, won’t return this season | ESPN

Sources told ESPN that tears were shed from those in the room during Thursday’s meeting and players saw physical signs of what Popovich has gone through since the stroke. The meeting, however, was filled with motivational messages, jokes, critique and praise from the coach, sources said.

Pelicans’ Zion Williamson records first career triple-double

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

On the fortunate irony of Quinten Post doing most of his damage away from the post

Rightfully and understandably so, Curry will receive the majority of the attention and heraldry thrown his way: a 56-point performance on 93.5% True Shooting is certainly a headline grabber. But Post’s inclusion in the main five-man group is arguably the momentum shifter the Warriors needed to come back from a 17-point deficit.

A tweet to end the week:

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.