Jeff Teague recently shared a story of playing defense on Steph Curry during a preseason game in China in front of 100,000 people. Teague was a part of the Minnesota Timberwolves back then, while Curry was fresh off from winning his second NBA championship.
In a recent episode of the Club 520 podcast, Teague discussed playing the best defense of his career against Curry in China. It was an offseason game but then-Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau praised Teague for playing great defense and allowing the two-time MVP to score 40 points.
“We played Steph in China,” Teague said. “We’re playing KD, Steph and them n****s. I played the hardest defense I’ve ever played in my life. I wasn’t trying to get embarrassed. There’s 100,000 people in China. I’m like, “F**k that. He ain’t about to kill me.’
“I swear to God, I never played this hard (on defense). Thibs came to me after the game and said it was the best defense I’ve ever played. Steph Curry had 44.”
The game Jeff Teague was talking about happened on Oct. 8, 2017 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. It was the second preseason game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors as part of that year’s NBA Global Games.
Steph Curry and the Warriors were coming off winning the 2017 NBA championship. Golden State were not messing around even though it was the preseason. They battered the Timberwolves that game to get the 142-110 win.
Curry led the way with 40 points, six rebounds and eight assists. He went 13-for-20 from the field, including 6-for-9 from beyond the arc. He also shot 8-for-9 from the free-throw line.
Klay Thompson had 28 points, six assists and two steals, while Kevin Durant added 22 points, two rebounds and two assists. Jeff Teague scored 10 points for the Timberwolves, and future Warriors player Andrew Wiggins had a team-high 21 points.