Basketball fans in Toronto may have witnessed one of the final regular-season appearances of Stephen Curry on Canadian soil this past Sunday. The Golden State Warriors superstar, now 38, delivered a vintage 39-point performance against the Toronto Raptors, much to the delight of a crowd that often seemed to be cheering for the visiting legend.
A Nostalgic Homecoming for Curry
This visit held deep personal significance for Curry. His wife is from Toronto, and the arena itself is a place of childhood memories. When his father, Dell Curry, played for the Vince Carter-era Raptors, a young Steph spent countless hours shooting on the main court and in the practice gym upstairs. The sense of family history was amplified by the presence of his father's former teammates, Charles Oakley and Alvin Williams, who were in the building for the Sunday matinee.
Despite the Raptors' efforts, Curry's brilliance shone through. He hit circus shots early, banked in a two-pointer after calling his shot, and expertly drew defensive attention to create open looks for teammates like Draymond Green. The Raptors' defensive game plan was almost entirely centred on containing the greatest shooter in NBA history, a challenge guard Shead acknowledged was immense.
The Impossible Defensive Assignment
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic summed up the league-wide dilemma before the game, stating, "Everybody is trying to find that out. I don't see around the league that some coach has come up with a magic solution." On the other side, Warriors coach Steve Kerr appreciated his unique advantage, quipping that if he could advise his younger self, he would simply say, "Just coach Steph Curry. Stay with that guy."
Curry's 39 points extended his record as the highest career scorer in Toronto, averaging over 29 points per game in the city. The fans, many of whom lined up hours before tip-off just to watch his warm-up routine of deep threes, rewarded him with roaring applause throughout. The atmosphere was so partisan that the crowd audibly groaned when Curry was called for a late offensive foul.
Cherishing the Final Chapters
With Curry turning 38 in March and the Warriors visiting Toronto only once per season, the urgency for fans to see him live is palpable. He missed several potential appearances in the years following the 2019 NBA Finals, making each subsequent visit more precious. This game was a hot ticket precisely because his time at the peak of the sport, while still remarkable, is finite.
In the end, it took a special performance from Raptors' star Scottie Barnes to secure a win for the home team. Yet, the day belonged to Curry, a player so transcendent that holding him to 39 points is considered a defensive success. His connection to Toronto, forged in childhood and sustained through a legendary career, made this more than just another game—it was a celebration of an all-time great whose Canadian appearances are now numbered.
