The Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 4–1 series loss—an outcome heavily shaped by the absence of Stephen Curry. The Warriors’ star suffered a critical injury early in the series, and the drop-off was immediate. In fact, Curry now ranks above both LeBron James and Michael Jordan in one of the most telling stats in NBA history: team winning percentage with and without a player.
The data underscores Curry’s immense value. His absence was glaring, and the team’s performance without him plummeted. During the regular season, the Warriors went 17–2 when Curry was on the floor—a staggering figure that highlights how essential he is to their identity and success. When the Chef isn’t cooking, Golden State struggles to find rhythm.
The shocking statistic also leads to an unexpected development: Michael Jordan, widely considered the greatest of all time, falls outside the top five on this list. While Jordan’s overall impact is unquestionable—leading the Bulls to six championships—Chicago still managed to stay competitive during the few stretches he missed, hovering near a .500 record.
Even more striking is that Curry surpasses the legendary Bill Russell in this metric. Russell, who won 11 championships in just 13 seasons and earned five MVPs, is synonymous with winning. That Curry edges him out in team win percentage differential speaks volumes about his influence on this era of basketball.
Nikola Jokić also enters this conversation as one of the league’s most indispensable players. The reigning MVP has once again elevated the Nuggets with his all-around brilliance, averaging a triple-double in the postseason. His ability to control the game at all levels makes him irreplaceable in Denver’s system.
Without Jokić, the Nuggets’ offense stalls, their rhythm fades, and their playoff hopes dim. His impact, much like Curry’s, can’t be overstated. In today’s NBA, the definition of “valuable” often begins with these generational big men who do it all.
Whether it’s Curry, Jokić, Jordan, LeBron, or Russell, the data continues to reveal that the game’s greatest aren’t just judged by accolades—but by how they elevate everyone around them. And in that category, Stephen Curry may very well be in a league of his own.