Permanent Decline? What's Going On With 36-Year-Old Steph Curry?

The Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry have become synonymous with greatness over the past decade, but recent weeks have raised questions about the two-time MVP's current form. The Warriors have struggled mightily, and Curry’s performances have been erratic, leading to growing speculation about whether this is merely a slump or the beginning of a permanent decline.

In the Warriors' most recent game, a 95-113 home loss to the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, Curry delivered one of his worst outings of the season. He shot just 4-of-14 from the field, including 3-of-11 from beyond the arc, failed to earn a single free throw attempt, and finished with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. His performance followed a troubling trend over the past several games.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Curry’s struggles are evident in both his box score and shooting splits. Against the Cavaliers, he managed only 2 points in the first half on 1-of-6 shooting. Although he tried to be more aggressive in the third quarter, he went 2-of-6 and scored just 6 points. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Warriors were already facing a nearly insurmountable 20-point deficit, and Curry added just one three-pointer before being subbed out with 4:30 left as the game entered garbage time.

This was not an isolated poor performance.

• Vs. Suns: Despite a win, Curry shot 9-of-22 from the field, 4-of-13 from three, and committed 5 turnovers in a 22-point effort. In the fourth quarter, he made just 2-of-9 shots and scored 4 points, nearly costing the Warriors the game.
• Vs. Pacers: Curry had one of his worst games of the season, shooting 2-of-13 from the field and 2-of-9 from three for a total of 10 points, along with 5 rebounds and 7 assists.
• Vs. Grizzlies: Curry delivered the worst statistical performance of his career, going 0-for-7 from the field and finishing with just 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist while posting a career-low -41 plus-minus rating.

Admittedly, there have been a few bright spots sprinkled into this rough stretch. Against the Lakers on Christmas Day, Curry lit up the scoreboard with 38 points on eight three-pointers in a narrow loss. Similarly, after his disastrous outing against the Grizzlies, he bounced back with 31 points and 10 assists in a win over the Timberwolves.

A Rare Dip in Consistency

For a player who has redefined shooting and consistency, Curry’s recent form is puzzling. Over his last six games, he has delivered just two standout performances, while struggling in the others. This inconsistency is uncharacteristic of the man who has consistently ranked among the league's top scorers throughout his career.

So far this season, Curry is averaging 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists on shooting splits of 43.7% from the field, 40.1% from three, and 92.3% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage stands at 60.3%. While these numbers would be excellent for most players, they represent a noticeable decline for Curry, who has been a beacon of efficiency.

The Decline Is Real—But How Much Is Permanent?

Compared to the last two seasons, Curry's scoring and efficiency have taken a hit:

• 2022-23 Season: 29.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.3 APG, true shooting percentage: 65.6%.
• 2023-24 Season: 26.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.1 APG, true shooting percentage: 61.6%.

This season, Curry is scoring 4.4 fewer points per game compared to last season and is outside the top 25 in league scoring—a shocking development for the 2021 scoring champion. Just two years ago, Curry was capable of single-handedly carrying the Warriors, as evidenced by his 50-point Game 7 masterpiece against the Kings in the 2023 playoffs or his scoring title run in 2021 when he kept Golden State competitive without significant help.

Factors Behind Curry’s Struggles

At 36, Curry’s age is undoubtedly a factor. His fourth-quarter performances have notably dipped this season. He is averaging just 6.5 points in the final period while shooting 40.9% from the field, 35.7% from three, and posting a true shooting percentage of 55.5% in those moments. Fatigue may be playing a role.

However, age alone doesn’t explain the full picture. Several external factors are also at play:

1. Lack of Rest in the Offseason: Curry’s offseason commitments may have hindered his recovery and preparation for this season. He shined during the Olympics, rescuing Team USA with clutch performances, but the short turnaround appears to have taken its toll.

2. Warriors' Roster and System Issues: The Warriors have been in flux this season, with constant lineup rotations and a lack of cohesion. The absence of a reliable secondary star to alleviate Curry's burden has been glaring.

3. Inefficiency Without Curry on the Floor: The Warriors have been abysmal when Curry is off the court, scoring just 89.9 points per 100 possessions and being outscored by a staggering 17.1 points per 100 possessions. This has forced Curry to shoulder even more of the offensive load, leading to exhaustion.

The State of the Warriors

The Warriors’ season has been a rollercoaster. After a 12-3 start that had them atop the Western Conference, they’ve gone 4-13 in their last 17 games, dropping to a .500 record (16-16) and 10th place in the West. During this slump, their offense has been one of the worst in the league, averaging just 106.1 points per 100 possessions—better than only the rebuilding Hornets and Wizards.

Curry remains their most impactful player. With him on the floor, the Warriors score 115.6 points per 100 possessions and outscore opponents by 0.7 points. Without him, the team crumbles.

Can Curry Bounce Back?

While Curry’s age and physical decline are natural, his influence and skill set remain valuable. It’s unlikely he’ll return to his peak form, but he’s still capable of producing at a high level. However, the Warriors must provide him with more support. The addition of Dennis Schröder was seen as a potential solution, but he has struggled to adapt to the Warriors' system, especially in an off-ball role.

Curry’s struggles this season are concerning, but they are not irreversible. He has shown flashes of his brilliance, and with better team performance and adjustments, he can still be a difference-maker. For now, Warriors fans can only hope their superstar finds his groove soon.