-Ed-Mulholland-USA-TODAY-Sports-40
The Brooklyn Nets’ 120-116 comeback win over the Golden State Warriors marked the 30th time that superstar point guards Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry have squared off in their NBA careers. Two of the games greatest floor generals, it’s a rivalry that is rife with an exciting history, but also tremendous mutual respect.
Kyrie Irving told the media after his team’s triumph over the Warriors the following about Steph: “The guy has completely revolutionized the game. Going against each other has been great, but I think studying each other has been even more of a special bond.” Curry, in the past, has spoken similarly of Irving. After an epic showdown in 2018 against Irving’s Celtics, Steph told reporters after the win that Irving is “an amazing player…we try to bring the best out of each other…”
Taking a dive into how each man’s teams have fared, Steph has won 9 out of their 17 regular season meetings, and Irving the other 8. In the playoffs, Steph has an 8-5 record over Irving; all 13 of those matchups were NBA Finals games between Irving’s Cleveland Cavaliers and Steph’s Warriors. Those eight Finals wins translate into two championships over Irving’s one, though it was Irving whose stepback three over Curry in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals largely sealed the deal for Cavaliers to win it all.
When it comes to the individual statistics, the regular season tells a balanced story. Curry has per game splits of 23.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 2.1 steals while shooting 45% from the floor and 40% from outside. Irving’s per game numbers are similar, clocking in at 23.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.7 steals while hitting 44.5% of his field goals and 44% of his threes.
Meanwhile, in the playoffs, Curry emerges as a less efficient scorer but a better passer and rebounder with his 24.5 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game, 6.2 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game to go along with his 42.6 FG% and 39.3 3PT% splits. Irving, meanwhile, shows his bucket-getting advantage with his 27.7 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, and 1.8 steals per game next to his 46.8% from the floor and 39.5% from three.
The beauty about Irving Curry duels is that both players shine in their own ways. Curry’s historically been on better teams and his better non-scoring stats reflect his ability to flourish in the Warriors’ system. Irving has bounced around a bit and taken on different roles, but his unreal scoring ability has remained consistent no matter what jersey he dons. There are surely plenty more games to come between these two titans of the game.
