How to Guard Stephen Curry
Stephen does most of his damage from three-point (60.6% of his attempts) and is a genuine outside threat. The plan below is built from where he actually shoots this season.
Where Stephen scores
Share of his 2025-26 field-goal attempts by zone, with how efficiently he finishes each. This is the map the game plan is built on.
The scouting report: how to defend Stephen
Chase over screens
Stephen is a real volume threat from deep (39.3% on 484 attempts, 60.6% of his shots). Go over ball screens, top-lock him off the ball, and never help off him on the perimeter.
Do not bail him out at the line
Stephen gets to the free-throw line about 5.1 times a game and hits 92.3% once there. Contest straight up with a vertical hand and avoid reaching, sending him to the line is the cheapest offense he has.
Pressure the handle
Stephen is turnover-prone (2.8 a game). Dig at the ball on the drive and load your help early, speeding him up is where his possessions break down.
Get Stephen's full matchup plan
The page above is the shot profile. HoopBrief turns it into a complete game plan, the exact coverage to run, on-ball positioning by spot, whistle tendencies, and the one counter to deny, in your own coaching lens.
Frequently asked questions
How do you guard Stephen Curry?
Chase over screens: Stephen is a real volume threat from deep (39.3% on 484 attempts, 60.6% of his shots). Go over ball screens, top-lock him off the ball, and never help off him on the perimeter. Do not bail him out at the line: Stephen gets to the free-throw line about 5.1 times a game and hits 92.3% once there. Contest straight up with a vertical hand and avoid reaching, sending him to the line is the cheapest offense he has. Pressure the handle: Stephen is turnover-prone (2.8 a game). Dig at the ball on the drive and load your help early, speeding him up is where his possessions break down
What is Stephen Curry's biggest weakness on offense?
Relative to the rest of his shot diet, Stephen is least efficient on his three-point attempts (39.3% on 484 shots this season). Steering him toward that shot, rather than the ones he makes at a high rate, is the statistical edge.
Is Stephen Curry a good three-point shooter?
Stephen has taken 484 three-pointers this season and made 190 of them (39.3%). That share of his offense (60.6% of his attempts) is what decides whether you chase him over screens or sag under them.
How many points per game does Stephen Curry average?
Stephen is averaging 26.6 points per game this season, along with 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds. Scoring volume is why he draws the defensive game plan on this page.
How to guard other players
Shot-profile and box-score figures reflect Stephen Curry's 2025-26 season. Defensive recommendations are generated from that shot distribution and are teaching guidance, not a guarantee of outcome.