Stephen Curry’s Overlooked Campaign: Revisiting the Season That Slipped Under the Radar for the NBA’s Greatest Shooter
San Francisco, CA – For five straight years, the Golden State Warriors were the epicenter of basketball greatness. Five consecutive NBA Finals appearances, three championships, and a revolutionary style of play that redefined the sport. At the heart of it all was Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter in history, whose magic on the court turned the Warriors into a dynasty. But by the summer of 2019, the seemingly unbreakable empire came crashing down, leaving fans, analysts, and players wondering: was this the end?
This is the story of the Warriors’ darkest hour, Curry’s personal trials, and the resilience that reminded the world why he remains one of the game’s all-time greats. From devastating injuries to a career-defining resurgence, it’s a tale of grit, adaptation, and unyielding belief.
The 2019 Collapse: A Dynasty in Ruins
The 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors marked the beginning of the end for the Warriors’ golden era. Game 5 saw Kevin Durant, already a polarizing figure after joining the superteam in 2016, go down with a torn Achilles—a brutal injury that would sideline him for over a year. The emotional toll was palpable as teammates and fans held their breath. “Everybody for the Warriors and the franchise here in the stands holding their breath,” the broadcast noted.
In Game 6, Klay Thompson, Curry’s Splash Brother and a cornerstone of the dynasty, suffered a torn ACL, writhing in pain as Curry slammed the ball in frustration. The Raptors capitalized, clinching the title on Golden State’s home floor. “We the North are now we the champions,” the Toronto faithful roared. The Warriors, once invincible, were dethroned.
Post-Finals, the exodus began. Durant, seeking a new chapter, signed with the Brooklyn Nets, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski. Analysts declared the dynasty over. “I view the Golden State Warriors as being a playoff team. They’re not going to fall off the radar, but I don’t think they’re winning a title anytime soon,” one commentator said. With Thompson out for the foreseeable future and the roster depleted beyond the core of Curry, Draymond Green, and a few others, the Warriors faced an uncertain future.
A Season of Loss: 2019-2020’s Brutal Blows
The 2019-2020 season was a nightmare from the start. Just five games in, Curry suffered a broken left hand during a hard fall under the basket. “He is not moving that left wrist right now. That is the absolute last thing in the world that they need,” the announcer lamented. The injury sidelined him for months, effectively ending any hope for the season.
Coach Steve Kerr, still reeling from the news, spoke candidly: “It’s been a tough start for us on many levels. We’re just trying to find our footing. Obviously, this puts us in a tough spot.” Analysts were grim. “This season is now lost with the Golden State Warriors,” one declared. “This is the Warriors’ worst nightmare. Everybody is in stunned disbelief in that locker room right now.”
Without Curry, the Warriors plummeted to the bottom of the standings. For the first time in nearly a decade, the NBA existed without him at its forefront. There were no celebrations, no viral moments. The league had moved on, and the Warriors were a shadow of their former selves. “Different. Obviously, Steph draws a lot of attention on the offensive side of the ball. He brings leadership to the table for us,” Draymond Green reflected.
For most stars, this could have been the beginning of the end—an era of dominance fading quietly into the background. But for Stephen Curry, the silence was just an intermission.
The 2020-2021 Setback: More Pain for Thompson
As Curry prepared to return for the 2020-2021 season, another blow struck. Klay Thompson, set to rejoin the team after his ACL recovery, suffered a season-ending torn Achilles during a workout in Southern California. “The Warriors just confirmed Klay Thompson has a season-ending torn Achilles,” ESPN reported. “He is expected to miss the upcoming season, but a source tells ESPN Thompson has been told to expect he will make a full recovery.”
Suddenly, Curry was on his own again. A 33-year-old superstar who, just two years prior, had commanded one of the most dominant teams in history was now surrounded by inexperienced rookies and role players. The expectations were modest—rebuilding for the franchise’s next chapter. But Curry had no interest in rebuilding. He was determined to remind the world who he was.
Curry’s Resurgence: A One-Man Show
When Curry returned to the court, the franchise around him had completely changed. Durant was gone, Thompson was out, and the supporting cast was a far cry from the championship rosters. Yet, Curry’s resolve was unshakable. “I’m feeling good, man. Definitely taking advantage of the times. Looking forward to this new year, despite the unfortunate situation with Klay,” he said. “We still feel like we’re a threat to be dealt with.”
On January 3, 2021, Curry accomplished something he hadn’t in his storied career: a 62-point game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the highest mark of his career. “Curry, what a first quarter. This brilliant offense, they’re going to make noise in the West,” the announcer exclaimed. He surpassed Thompson’s personal best, joining an elite group as only the fifth point guard in NBA history to cross the 60-point mark.
The performance was more than a career high—it was a statement of resilience. “I still have a hard time wrapping my head around it. I still wonder, did it really happen?” one commentator marveled. “This is the greatest shooter since mankind existed,” another declared.
From that point, Curry embarked on one of the most incredible individual stretches of his career. In April 2021, he averaged 37.3 points per game across 15 games—one of the best scoring months by any player in the past 50 years. He had an 11-game streak of 30 or more points, the longest of his career. “From mind-blowing shot-making to otherworldly stat production, it was the purest form of Stephen Curry basketball we’d ever seen,” an analyst noted.
Curry’s dominance reached beyond regular-season games. At All-Star Weekend, he reminded everyone of his specialty, taking home the three-point contest trophy in vintage fashion. By season’s end, he clinched the NBA scoring title for the second time, averaging a career-high 32 points per game while shooting 48% from the field and 42% from three—despite leading the league in shot attempts and defensive attention.
Carrying the Load: Curry’s Solo Act
Curry’s offensive output alone kept the Warriors afloat during the regular season. Despite a lack of experience and depth, Golden State made it to the NBA’s new play-in tournament, hoping to secure a playoff berth. “Steph’s offensive output alone had been enough to keep the Warriors afloat,” one observer noted.
Curry finished third in MVP voting behind Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, with many agreeing that a higher playoff seed might have earned him a third career MVP award. “From the outside, many saw the season as irrelevant. No championship chase or title contention, just a star lighting up empty arenas,” an analyst reflected. “But in reality, that year might have been the most revealing of Steph’s career because it showed that his greatness wasn’t just a product of a system surrounded by great players. It was self-sustaining.”
Curry had proven he could carry a team on his own, with an offensive workload reminiscent of the game’s great legends. “The success of the dynasty had already made him a legend. But from isolation scoring to his signature off-ball movement, Stephen Curry had shown that he wasn’t just the greatest shooter the game had ever seen. He was one of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball,” another commentator praised.
Play-In Heartbreak: A Step Short
Despite Curry’s heroics, the Warriors fell short in the play-in tournament, eliminated by the Memphis Grizzlies. “It just didn’t go our way,” Curry admitted post-game. “It was a special year all things considered. A new experience for me, Draymond, and everyone. We tried to make the most of it. Come back, bottle this up, everybody make the right strides, take advantage of the summer, and don’t want to see us next year.”
The loss stung, but it didn’t diminish what Curry had accomplished. He had carried a depleted roster further than anyone expected, reasserting his place among the NBA’s elite.
Legacy and Lessons: Beyond the Dynasty
The Warriors’ fall from grace in 2019 was a stark reminder of basketball’s fragility. Injuries to Durant, Thompson, and Curry exposed the limits of even the greatest superteams. By 2019, the roster beyond the top three or four players had “really nothing left,” as one analyst put it. The dynasty that once seemed eternal was over—or so it appeared.
Yet, Curry’s 2020-2021 season redefined his legacy. Without the spotlight of championship contention, he played with a freedom unseen in years, showcasing a level of individual brilliance that transcended team success. “Curry had proven that he could carry a team on his own, doing so with an offensive workload similar to other of the game’s great legends from the past,” a historian noted.
For young players, Curry’s journey offers a lesson in resilience. Greatness isn’t just about winning titles—it’s about adapting, persevering, and proving your worth when the odds are stacked against you. For the Warriors, the season was a bridge between eras, a testament to the enduring spirit of a franchise unwilling to fade quietly.
Looking Ahead: A Dynasty Reborn?
The 2020-2021 season wasn’t the end for the Warriors. With Thompson’s eventual return, emerging talents like James Wiseman and Andrew Wiggins, and Curry’s unrelenting drive, the team laid the groundwork for a comeback. “Don’t want to see us next year,” Curry warned, a promise of redemption.
As the NBA landscape evolved, the Warriors’ story remained unfinished. The dynasty may have faltered, but its heart—Stephen Curry—beat stronger than ever. The world awaited the next chapter, eager to see if Golden State could reclaim its throne.
Conclusion: The Unbreakable Spirit of Stephen Curry
The fall of the Golden State Warriors in 2019 was a seismic event, marking the end of an era of unprecedented dominance. Injuries, departures, and crushing defeats tested the resolve of a franchise and its star, Stephen Curry. Yet, through the darkness of the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons, Curry emerged as a beacon of resilience, delivering performances that reaffirmed his status as one of basketball’s greatest.
From a 62-point career-high to a scoring title amidst adversity, Curry proved that true greatness isn’t contingent on a perfect roster or a championship chase. It’s forged in the quiet moments of recovery, the grind of empty arenas, and the refusal to surrender. The Warriors’ dynasty may have stumbled, but with Curry at the helm, its spirit remains unbreakable.
