Stephen Curry is a two-time MVP winner and perhaps the greatest shooter of all-time, but since Kevin Durant joined him in Golden State, the individual praise has diminished as the ball has been distributed more evenly across the team. However, the start to Curry’s 2018-19 season has been reminiscent of the spectacular, jaw-dropping performances during his two MVP seasons.

His 51-point outburst through three quarters has certainly put him back in the conversation because of the way he did it, knocking down 11 threes. While Durant and Curry will continue to share the ball, if Curry keeps delivering highlights like this throughout the year, he’ll be in the running for a third MVP trophy.

“When you’ve got another MVP candidate on your team, it does take a little bit away,” Pierce said, “but when you have extraordinary performances like this, there’s no way you can leave him out of the conversation.”