Stephen Curry’s Career Playoff Record Against 25 NBA Stars

Over the last decade-plus, we have watched as Stephen Curry has changed the game of basketball and how it is played. Upon leading the Golden State Warriors to four NBA championships in five seasons, Curry ushered in a new era of basketball centered around elite three-point shooting.

To capture those four NBA championships, Curry and the Warriors had to make their way through some of the biggest names in the game’s history. Much like we covered LeBron James’ and Michael Jordan’s playoff records, we thought it was time to do the same with the greatest shooter in the history of the NBA.

T1. Damian Lillard – 10-0 (3-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Damian Lillard: 33.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Head To Head Playoff Series:

2016 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers 4-1

2017 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers 4-0

2019 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers 4-0

We kick this list off with a few of the players that Stephen Curry had the most playoff success of his career against. Damian Lillard has often been compared to Curry as one of the greatest three-point shooting point guards ever and an elite scoring threat all the same. While playing similarly, the results have been heavily in Curry’s favor, especially when they have met in the playoffs over the years.

Stephen Curry is a perfect 3-0 in playoff series against Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers. The first time they met was during Golden State’s historic 2016 season in which they won 73 games. The Warriors defeated Portland in the second round of the playoffs that season in five games with Curry averaging 34.5 points per game on 50.0% shooting. The two teams would also meet the next season in the first round of the playoffs. This time, things ended in a sweep with Curry leading the way with 29.8 points per game.

In 2019, Curry and Lillard would meet again with a trip to the NBA finals on the line in the Western Conference Finals. Once again, the Warriors dominated Portland in four games. Lillard did all he could with 22.3 points per game on 37.1% shooting but it was no match for Curry and the Warriors’ offensive attack. Golden State would sweep Portland with Curry averaging 36.5 points per game on 46.9% shooting overall and 42.6% shooting from three.

T1. Pau Gasol – 4-0 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Pau Gasol: 31.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2017 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs 4-0

While Stephen Curry and Pau Gasol have spent the majority of their careers in the Western Conference, the two stars only met in the NBA playoffs twice. Curry was not yet in the league when Gasol was with the Grizzlies and just a young, budding star when Gasol was winning championships with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010.

The only time these two legends would meet is during the 2017 playoffs when Gasol joined the Spurs later on in his career. Gasol split the series coming off the bench and starting, averaging just 9.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 18.9 minutes of play. The Spurs were no match for the Warriors that season as Golden State went on to sweep San Antonio in four games. Curry led the team in scoring with 31.5 points per game on 56.4% shooting overall and 46.7% shooting from three.

3. Joe Johnson – 7-1 (2-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Joe Johnson: 25.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2017 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz 4-0

2018 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-3

Stephen Curry and Joe Johnson also had the peaks of their careers overlap eras. When Johnson was at his true peak with the Hawks and Nets, Curry was still getting acclimated to the NBA. When Curry evolved into an MVP and an ALl-Star, Johnson was just entering the tail end of his career.

These two NBA stars would meet twice in their careers in the NBA playoffs. The first time came when Johnson was with the Utah Jazz for their 2017 playoff run. Johnson started two games and came off the bench for two games, averaging 8.0 points per game in 25 minutes of play. Curry led Golden State to a dominant sweep of Utah with 24.5 points per game on 49.2% shooting.

The next time these two would face off on the court was the epic Western Conference Finals in 2018 that went seven games. Johnson barely saw the court in this series averaging 1.5 points per game in 6.5 minutes of action. After being up in the series, Houston would fall in each of their final two games and fall to the Warriors in Game 7. Curry finished the series with 25.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.

4. Dwight Howard – 6-1 (2-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Dwight Howard: 26.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2015 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-1

2016 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-1

When Dwight Howard was in his prime, winning Defensive Player of the Year awards and leading the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals, Stephen Curry’s NBA career was just getting underway. These two NBA stars would not meet until much later in their careers when Howard joined the Houston Rockets in the mid-2010s.

As the Golden State Warriors marched to the 2015 NBA championship, they had to get through the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals. Curry and Company took care of Houston and Howard in five games with Curry averaging 31.2 points per game on 49.1% shooting from three and 51.5% shooting overall.

The two would clash again in 2016 during the first round of the playoffs. This time, Howard would play all five games and averaged 13.2 points and 14.0 rebounds per game. Unfortunately for Houston, the Warriors were just fine even with a hobbled Curry limited to two games in the series, and dismissed them in five games once again.

T5. DeMarcus Cousins – 4-1 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. DeMarcus Cousins: 28.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2022 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets 4-1

During the middle of the 2010s, DeMarcus Cousins was arguably the most dominant center in the NBA. After injuries derailed his career, Cousins and Stephen Curry became teammates for the 2019 season, a season in which Cousins would tear his ACL and be limited to 30 games played before being let go in free agency.

Several seasons later, in 2022, Cousins would join the Denver Nuggets for the second half of the season and playoff run. In the first round of the playoffs, the Nuggets would find themselves in a series with the Warriors. Golden State would take care of business in five games led by Curry’s 28.0 points per game on 50.0% shooting. As for Cousins, he appeared in all five games off the bench and averaged 10.6 points per game in 11.4 minutes per game.

T5. Nikola Jokic – 4-1 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Nikola Jokic: 28.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2022 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets 4-1

Over the last four seasons, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has firmly staked his claim as the best player in the world. With two MVP awards and a Finals MVP during that stretch, his case for that title is as good as any other player in the game today.

Surprisingly enough, the only time that Curry’s Warriors and the Nuggets have come head-to-head in the playoffs during that time is during the 2022 NBA playoffs. Golden State went on to win that series in five games and eventually the NBA championship with a Curry Finals MVP award to top it off. Jokic kept the Nuggets competitive with 31.3 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game but it was not enough to stop Curry and the Warriors from their fourth NBA title in eight seasons.

T5. Luka Doncic – 4-1 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Luka Doncic: 23.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2022 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks 4-1

In 2023-24, Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic remain Western Conference rivals with the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks respectively. While the two point guards have consistently been two of the best players in the game on a nightly basis, they have met just once over the last five seasons in the NBA playoffs.

After many had declared the dynasty dead in Golden State, the Warriors advanced to the Western Conference Finals to take on Doncic and the Mavericks. Doncic would do his best to lead Dallas to an upset of the Warriors with 32.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game but it was not enough to overcome the two-way effort of Golden State. Curry led Golden State to a five-game series win with 23.8 points per game on 44.4% shooting overall and 42.9% shooting from three.

8. Rajon Rondo – 3-1 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Rajon Rondo: 24.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2018 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans 4-1

During the 2010s, Rajon Rondo was far from the All-Star point guard he once was earlier in the decade. Stephen Curry was at the top of the mountain, winning MVP awards and championships in 2015, 2017, and 2018. It was during this time that Rajon Rondo and Stephen Curry would meet for the only time in their careers during the playoffs.

It was the 2018 NBA playoffs and the New Orleans Pelicans had advanced to take on the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Curry was hobbled by injury and played just four of the five games in the series, still averaging 24.5 points per game on 47.8% shooting. Rondo, who started at point guard in all five games, averaged 9.6 points and 11.4 assists per game in the five-game loss. The Warriors would advance to their fourth straight NBA Finals and capture their third championship in four seasons.

9. Kevin Love – 11-4 (2-1 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Kevin Love: 25.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2016 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4

2017 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1

2018 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0

Every NBA fan during the 2010s remembered the fierce rivalry between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers from 2015 through 2018. One player at the center of that rivalry was forward Kevin Love who the Cavaliers traded for just before the start of the 2014-15 season. After missing the 2015 Finals due to injury, Love was a major player in the teams’ next three meetings in the NBA finals.

Love and the Cavaliers would first see the Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals. After winning 73 games in the regular season, the Warriors found themselves up 3-1 in the Finals. Then, in unprecedented fashion, the Cavaliers mounted a comeback to pull off the greatest upset in NBA playoff history. Love averaged just 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the comeback.

After the 2016 loss in the Finals, the Warriors added Kevin Durant to their lineup, leading to the two most dominant seasons in the NBA since the Lakers of the early 2000s. Curry, Durant, and the Warriors steamrolled the competition in 2017 and 2018, which included the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. Between both series, the Warriors went 8-1 and Curry averaged 27.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game to help the Warriors capture two NBA titles.

10. James Harden – 14-6 (4-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. James Harden: 25.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series

2015 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-1

2016 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-1

2018 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-3

2019 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets 4-2

The NBA player with one of the biggest hits to his legacy at the hands of Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors was James Harden. As Harden was leading the league in scoring and winning an MVP award, the Warriors were becoming the well-oiled machine led by Stephen Curry that won three championships from 2015-2018.

Often, it was at the expense of Harden and the Houston Rockets in the playoffs that the Warriors won their championships. The first time these two would meet would be in the 2015 Western Conference Finals. Golden State dominated that series in five games led By Curry with 31.2 points per game on 51.5% shooting from the field. In 2016, Curry and the Warriors would take out the Rockets in a similar fashion in the first round of the playoffs, ending the series in five games once again.

In 2018, Harden and the Rockets would meet the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals once again. Through five games, the Rockets held the upper hand 3-2 behind Harden’s 28.7 points per game on 41.5% shooting. Led by the duo of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, the Warriors would win each of the final two games and complete the comeback over Houston to advance to and win the 2018 Finals. In the final meeting in 2019, Curry would lead the Warriors to a six-game series win in the second round averaging 23.8 points per game on 40.3% shooting.

T11. Vince Carter – 4-2 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Vince Carter: 24.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2015 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4-2

Stephen Curry was just 12 years old when Vince Carter was in his prime during the early 2000s. As a matter of fact, Carter shared the floor with Stephen’s father Dell on the Toronto Raptors from 2000 through 2002 with a front-row seat to it all. That is what makes the fact that over a decade later, Stephen and Vince would meet in the NBA playoffs even more incredible.

It was the 2015 NBA playoffs and a Western Conference Semifinals matchup between the Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies. Carter, at 38 years old, appeared in all six games off the bench and averaged 7.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Curry, coming off an MVP regular season, shined for the Warriors and led them to a six-game series win averaging 24.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game on 40.6% shooting from three.

T11. Jayson Tatum – 4-2 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Jayson Tatum: 31.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2022 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics 4-2

There is always an extra electric element in the air whenever the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics meet on the basketball court. This has been especially true over the last few seasons which culminated in Celtics rising superstar Jayson Tatum leading Boston to the 2022 NBA Finals to take on Curry and the Warriors.

The 2022 Warriors were already inspired by having their dynasty declared dead by anybody with a voice within the NBA community. Defying the odds to their sixth NBA Finals in eight years, the Warriors were met with even more doubts against Boston. Curry quickly erased those doubts, erupting in the series for 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game 48.2% shooting overall and 43.7% shooting from three. Finally, Curry could remove the proverbial monkey off his back as he was named Finals MVP for the first time.

T11. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 4-2 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 24.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2019 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers 4-2

Before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander began his ascent as an NBA superstar over the last few seasons, he began his journey with the Los Angeles Clippers as a rookie. During this time, the Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant-led Warriors were still the Kings of the NBA as back-to-back defending champions looking for their third in a row.

The first stop on the Warriors’ 2019 title defense run was against the Los Angeles Clippers. Gilgeous-Alexander was already a starter although not yet as polished with 13.7 points and 3.2 assists per game in six games. On the other side with Golden State, the duo of Durant and Curry were just far too much to handle, combining for 61.7 points per game while both shooting over 40.0% from three.

14. Kyrie Irving – 8-5 (2-1 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Kyrie Irving: 24.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2015 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2

2016 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4

2017 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1

One of the most exciting aspects of the rivalry between the Cavaliers and the Warriors during the 2010s was the point guard battles we got between Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving. These two stars went back-and-forth numerous times on the NBA’s biggest stage with each one getting the better of the other at some point.

Irving would miss out on most of the 2015 NBA Finals, getting injured in Game 1 and never seeing the floor again as the Warriors went on to win in six games led by Curry’s 26.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. The following season, in 2016, Irving played a much bigger role for the Cavaliers in the Finals. After falling down in the series 3-1, Irving helped Cleveland mount a comeback, winning three games straight and their first championship in franchise history. Irving averaged 27.1 points per game for the series.

Irving and Curry would meet one final time on the NBA Finals stage in 2017. Irving was incredible once again in five games for Cleveland, averaging 29.4 points per game on 47.2% shooting. It just wasn’t enough to stop the power duo of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry who combined for 62.0 points, 16.8 rebounds, and 14.8 assists per game in the series.

15. Anthony Davis – 9-6 (2-1 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Anthony Davis: 28.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2015 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans 4-0

2018 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans 4-1

2023 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers 2-4

For the better part of the last decade, big man Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry have been Western Conference foes. Davis ran into the Warriors during their dynasty years when he was with the Pelicans in 2015 and 2018 as well as one time since joining the Lakers before the 2019-20 season.

The 2015 and 2018 series were a runaway for Golden State. In 2015, Curry led the Warriors to a first-round win over Davis’ Pelicans 33.8 points per game in a four-game sweep on 45.3% shooting overall and 41.7% shooting from three. Davis led New Orleans with 31.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. In 2018, the two teams met again. This time New Orleans put up more of a fight, pushing the series to five games before folding to the Warriors. Curry and Kevin Durant would combine for 52.3 points per game in the series to claim the win.

It would not be another five years until Davis and Stephen Curry met in the NBA playoffs. Davis, now with the Lakers alongside LeBron James, would help lead Los Angeles to a six-game series win and a berth in the Western Conference Finals with 21.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game along with 1.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game on defense. Curry did his best to lead Golden State with 26.7 points per game on 43.9% shooting.

16. LeBron James – 17-12 (3-2 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. LeBron James: 25.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Head-To-Head Series:

2015 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2

2016 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4

2017 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1

2018 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0

2023 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers 2-4

The headliner matchup throughout the 2010s rivalry between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers was the matchup of Stephen Curry going up against LeBron James. From 2015 through 2018, Curry and James would meet four consecutive seasons in the NBA Finals with Curry holding a 3-1 advantage in those series.

It all began in 2015 when the Warriors and Cavaliers met in the NBA Finals for the first time. The Warriors would emerge victorious in six games led by Curry’s 26.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. In 2016, James would get the best of the Warriors even as Golden State took a 3-1 series lead. In one of the greatest series in NBA history, James led the Cavaliers to three straight wins and their first title in team history. He claimed Finals MVP with 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game.

Over the next two seasons, James would do his best against a loaded Golden State Warriors lineup now featuring Kevin Durant alongside Curry. In the 2017 and 2018 Finals, Durant would claim both Finals MVP awards and the Cavaliers would get one win between the two series as the Warriors went back-to-back as NBA champions.

T17. Russell Westbrook – 4-3 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Russell Westbrook: 27.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.0 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2016 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3

During the late 2010s, Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook were two of the best point guards in the NBA. They accounted for all three MVP awards from 2015 through 2017 as Westbrook made his descent on the all-time triple-doubles record. Despite Westbrook and Curry’s dominance at the time, the two would meet just once in the playoffs in their careers.

This would come during the 2016 Western Conference Finals. Westbrook and teammate Kevin Durant would get off to a hot start, leading the Thunder to a 3-1 lead over the Warriors through four games. With their backs against the wall, Curry stepped up with 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Westbrook did all he could as well with 26.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game.

T17. Kevin Durant – 4-3 (1-0 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs.Kevin Durant: 27.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.0 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2016 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3

The storyline of the point guard matchup between Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook was not the only storyline of that 2016 Western Conference finals series. The other piece of that series was the presence of Kevin Durant who left everything he had on the court for the Thunder in the series, then pulled one of the most traitorous moves in NBA history that offseason.

In the seven-game series loss to the Warriors, Durant averaged 30.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game on 42.3% shooting from the floor. After yet another loss late in the NBA playoffs, Durant’s future hung in the balance as he became a free agent. In the end, Durant left the Thunder for the Warriors and went on to win back-to-back NBA championships in 2017 and 2018. Durant and Curry have still only met once in the NBA Finals as opponents in their careers.

19. Chris Paul – 9-9 (2-1 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Chris Paul: 23.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2014 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers 3-4

2018 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-3

2019 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 4-2

Many NBA fans may not realize that Stephen Curry and Chris Paul have been rivals for a decade when it comes to the NBA playoffs. Back before Curry was even an MVP or NBA champion in 2014, these two legendary point guards met for the first time, setting the tone for one of the great point guard rivalries in the NBA.

In that 2014 series, Curry and the Warriors took on Paul and the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. The series would go to seven games with the Clippers prevailing in Game 7 to advance. Paul led the way with 17.4 points, 9.0 assists, and 3.1 steals per game. The rivalry would take a hiatus until 2018 when Paul joined the Houston Rockets.

In 2018, the two point guards would meet again in the Western Conference Finals this time. Paul would miss two pivotal games with an injury as the Warriors mounted a comeback over the Rockets and advanced to the NBA Finals. The Warriors and Rockets would meet again the following postseason in the second round. In a far less eventful series, the Warriors advanced in six games behind 23.8 points per game from Curry.

T20. Blake Griffin – 3-4 (0-1 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Blake Griffin: 23.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 8.4 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2014 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers 3-4

As mentioned earlier, Stephen Curry had the chance to take on the Lob City Clippers just once in his career just before he became an MVP and NBA champion in his career. This meeting between the two teams would surprisingly be the only time in their careers that Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin met in the NBA playoffs, giving Griffin a winning record over Curry for their careers.

The series was a great one going the distance to seven games. In the series, Griffin led the Clippers in scoring with 23.3 points per game while adding 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game as well. Curry would score a game-high 33 points in Game 7 but 66 points combined from Griffin, Chris Paul, and J.J Redick was too much to overcome.

T20. Danny Granger – 3-4 (0-1 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Danny Granger: 23.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 8.4 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series: 

2014 Western Conference First Round: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers 3-4

One name that I bet you didn’t also know was involved in that 2014 matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers is Danny Granger. In the late 2000s, Granger was a star with the Indiana Pacers, averaging over 25.0 points per game at his peak. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his career and he was never the same again.

Wiring about Granger’s impact during this series would almost be points. He did appear in all seven games off the bench but played just 10.0 minutes per game and averaged 2.0 points on 28.0% shooting. Curry and the Warriors would fall in seven games in this series but go on to win three championships over the next four seasons while Granger retired following the 2015 season.

22. Kawhi Leonard – 5-8 (1-2 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Kawhi Leonard: 27.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Stats:

2013 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs 2-4

2017 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs 4-0

2019 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors 2-4

NBA fans of the 200s and 2010s have truly grown up during one of the best times in NBA history. During the 2010s, we were treated to three outstanding playoff series between two of the greatest players of the decade, Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard. Whether with the Spurs or Raptors, Curry and Leonard found themselves across the court from one another in big situations more than once with results favoring Leonard in their careers.

Leonard and Curry first met in the 2013 NBA playoffs when both were still getting their feet wet in the NBA. Leonard’s Spurs would emerge victorious in their second-round matchup in six games. The next time these two would see each other is the 2017 Western Conference Finals. It looked as if the Spurs had a chance in Game 1 before an errant foot from Zaza Pachulia took Leonard out for the series. Golden State ended up sweeping San Antonio in four games to advance to the NBA Finals.

The 2019 NBA Finals would be the first true meeting of Leonard and Curry in their peak forms. The Raptors, in their first NBA Finals, led by Leonard, took advantage of several injuries to win the series in six games. Curry fought hard with 30.5 points per game but Leonard stole the show. He was named finals MVP with 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.

T25. Tony Parker – 2-4 (0-1 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Tony Parker: 22.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2013 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs 3-4

The next three players to round out our list today all met Stephen Curry once in their NBA playoff careers and prevailed in a six-game series. Tony Parker and his reign with the Spurs was special in the 2000s and 2010s. On the way to one of his five NBA Finals appearances in 2013, Parker met Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

In the series, Curry would help the Warriors put up a fight with 22.5 points per game on 40.5% shooting. Parker was arguably the best player on the floor with 22.5 points and 6.2 assists per game on 42.6% shooting in the series. Parker and the Spurs would go on to advance to the NBA Finals where they fell in seven games to the Miami Heat.

T25. Tim Duncan – 2-4 (0-1 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Tim Duncan: 22.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2013 Western Conference Semifinals: Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs 2-4

The 2013 series between the Spurs and Warriors would also mark the only time that Stephen Curry and Tim Duncan ever shared the court in the NBA playoffs. Duncan was already 36 years old at this time while Curry was 24 and had yet to become the player that changed the NBA as we know it today.

Aside from Parker, Duncan would make the greatest impact in this series win for the Spurs on both sides of the ball. In six games, Duncan averaged 19.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game to aid in the victory. With four NBA championships, Curry has yet to surpass Duncan in that department in his career but has he passed him on an all-time scale individually?

T25. Kyle Lowry – 2-4 (0-1 In Playoff Series)

Stephen Curry Playoff Stats vs. Kyle Lowry: 30.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Head-To-Head Playoff Series:

2019 NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors 2-4

The final NBA playoff opponent that got the best of Stephen Curry in his NBA career is Kyle Lowry. In all of their years at or near the top of the point guard rankings, Lowry and Curry rarely had the opportunity to meet given Lowry’s time with the East with the Raptors and Curry’s entire career in the West with the Warriors.

These two would cross paths once during the 2019 NBA Finals when the Toronto Raptors were led by Lowry and Kawhi Leonard to their first NBA finals appearances. For the Warriors, it was their fifth NBA Finals appearance in a row but injuries to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson would derail their hopes of a three-peat as NBA champions.

While Leonard was named Finals MVP of the series, Lowry’s veteran presence and leadership were just as essential to Toronto’s victory. In six games, Lowry averaged 16.2 points, 7.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 42.5% from the field.