Equality in the Garden
Steph Curry displayed a fierce competitive edge this Friday, shaking off the lingering effects of a foot injury to post a 43-point, 10-rebound double-double as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 107-97 at TD Garden in Boston. The win tied the NBA Finals series at two games apiece, placing the Warriors back in control of their fate at Chase Center. The series is set to feature at least two more contests, with Game 5 in San Francisco and Game 6 back in Boston on the schedule. If the series ends in a tie, Golden State would host a decisive fourth game at home—an opportunity it has waited for in eight years.
Led by Curry, who poured in 43 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, Golden State benefited from strong contributions across the lineup. Klay Thompson added 18 points, while Andrew Wiggins supplied 16 points and 10 rebounds. Wiggins showed notable activity on the boards, especially on the offensive glass, even as he struggled to find a consistent rhythm inside the paint. Boston counters with Jayson Tatum posting 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, Jaylen Brown contributing 21 points and 6 rebounds, and Marcus Smart adding 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Al Horford finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists as Boston tried to stabilize after a challenging night.
The Garden’s Equal Footing
Manchester-born or not, the Celtics opened Game 3 with an 18-point surge, but the game quickly settled into a tight, back-and-forth battle. Mistakes and rebounding battles kept both teams close, with neither side delivering a decisive edge for much of the night. Coaches tinkered with rotations; Steve Kerr sent Otto Porter Jr. into the action for extended minutes, though Porter managed just two points, one rebound, and one assist in fourteen minutes. Curry, however, immediately demonstrated that his fear was extinguished, sparking the attack as Golden State surged ahead in the first period and maintained momentum through halftime, scoring 12 points in the opening period and 19 by the break.
Curry on a Scorching Run
Curry finished the night with a 23-point third-quarter tear plus an 18-point first-half total, combining with Wiggins for a multi-faceted attack that penetrated Boston’s defense. The Warriors relied more on paint-based scoring than usual for this matchup, a shift that allowed them to weather Celtics’ pressure and keep the scorers in reach. The first half saw Boston committing 10 turnovers, a number Golden State exploited to establish a modest lead at the break. Tatum and Brown posted solid numbers, but the Celtics could not convert enough possessions into points in the opening two quarters. Boston entered the locker room trailing by five, a disruption to their early-game rhythm that capped a stubborn defensive challenge from Golden State.
A Turn in the Third
As the third quarter unfolded, Curry intensified his scoring push. He moved from a modest 2-for-6 showing from three-point range in the first half to a more efficient attack after the break, scoring 14 points in the period and lifting Golden State’s rhythm. Boston’s ball pressure yielded a few steals but Curry’s precision and decision-making helped the Warriors stay ahead. The Celtics defended the interior more aggressively, yet Curry found avenues for damage, and Golden State’s overall execution began to tilt the momentum in their favor. The period ended with the score still close, but the tone favoring the Warriors as they entered the final stanza with a healthy push ahead.
Brown managed to score a handful of baskets in the fourth, delivering shots and penetrating drives that electrified the Garden and kept Boston within striking distance. Yet neither Brown nor Smart could deliver the clutch plays needed to overtake Curry’s late-game heroics. With Poole and Green unavailable, Curry carried the team at the end, connecting on back-to-back threes to seal the late-game surge. The mark read 94-100 with 1:42 remaining as Golden State closed the door on Boston’s rally attempt.
A strong late push from Horford anchored Boston, bringing the margin to 97-100, but the Celtics could not generate a fresh scoring run after that sequence. Curry then iced the game from the free-throw line as the Warriors clinched a pivotal victory, earning cheers and a nod as the Garden’s MVP for his performance on that night.