Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin have faced off in numerous thrilling NBA games, particularly during the latter’s time with the L.A. Clippers. Their competition, however, actually began much earlier.
While in college, both players shone at their respective schools, leading to memorable matchups like the one on November 18, 2008. In that game, Steph and Blake certainly didn’t disappoint, marking the start of their mutual respect.
“Oh man, he’s an unbelievable player. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. He kept his team in it. He stayed calm, even when he had fouls early on. I can’t say enough about him,” emphasized Griffin post-game, per SFGATE.
A glimpse of the NBA’s next big things
When the Wildcats headed to face the Sooners, many were excited for the clash between two of the country’s top teams—the 21st and 12th ranked squads, respectively. However, the real anticipation was centered on the upcoming showdown between Davidson point guard Curry and Oklahoma forward Griffin, both of who were lauded as “two of the five best players in college basketball” by one commentator.
The previous year, the young ‘Chef Curry,’ a First-team All-SoCon selection, had averaged almost 26 points per game, while showcasing his usual shooting prowess with .439 from beyond the arc. Surprisingly low, considering Steph’s outstanding playmaking skills, was his average of only 2.9 assists per game.
Sooners’ thrilling victory
The highly anticipated game in Oklahoma drew a large crowd, including the young OKC Thunder stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Despite being one of the most talented duos in basketball, they were clearly in awe of the head-to-head battle about to unfold between Curry and Griffin.
In a thrilling game, the Sooners triumphed over their opponent with an 82-78 scoreline. A standout performance came from their key player, who scored 25 points and grabbed an impressive 21 rebounds.
On the opposing side, Steph’s remarkable offensive effort fell short. The 6’2″ guard scored 44 points—more than his entire team combined—after hitting eight three-pointers and making all 14 of his free throws.
Looking back at their performances in that game, it’s no surprise that just seven months later, both players became lottery picks in the 2009 NBA Draft. Griffin was chosen first overall, while Curry was picked seventh. This moment marked the start of legendary careers for both athletes.
Blake, a six-time All-Star, retired this past April, while Steph still has a few more years to continue building his legacy with the Golden State Warriors.
