Stephen Curry is worth more than LeBron (and the numbers prove it)

Stephen Curry doesn’t need to be on the court to make headlines. His absence in the last two games for the Golden State Warriors, due to illness, exposed a stat that quickly went viral. According to Marca, it positions Curry as one of the most decisive players in recent NBA history.

With Stephen Curry in the lineup, the Warriors have a winning percentage of .624. Without him, that number plummets to .371. The contrast is so stark it reignited the age-old debate: Is Curry more valuable than LeBron James?. While Golden State crumbles without its star point guard, the Lakers have managed a solid 7-3 record without the “King.” It’s worth noting that LeBron has yet to debut this season due to a sciatic nerve issue.

A provocative comparison

The comparison between LeBron James and Stephen Curry, while provocative, has layers. The Lakers have won five of their last six games. But they also lost decisively to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. That game was played without Austin Reaves, who’s been shining in LeBron’ absence. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is playing at an MVP level and has been the driving force behind the Lakers’ strong start.

Stephen Curry aka the most valuable NBA player for the last decade. pic.twitter.com/pZX5PMY4bI

— Steph Curry Muse (@StephMuse_) November 8, 2025

But Stephen Curry’s influence goes beyond the box score. His impact on the game is multidimensional—from offensive orchestration to the energy he injects into his teammates. Without him, the Warriors looked exposed. That kind of dependency isn’t as visible in other teams with superstar talent. The viral stat doesn’t just highlight Curry’s current value—it strengthens his case as one of the top five players in NBA history.

Open debate

It’s also worth remembering that Stephen Curry, LeBron, and Kevin Durant are all in the twilight of their careers. Each of them is over 35, yet they continue to compete at an elite level. Health, however, is starting to play a more decisive role. Durant is ready to go, LeBron hasn’t played yet, and Curry is still recovering.

Meanwhile, the debate remains wide open. Is Stephen Curry the most influential player of his generation?. Does his absence weigh heavier than any other star’s?. The truth is, with every game he misses, his value becomes more obvious. And while the Warriors wait for Curry’s return with urgency, the rest of the league watches closely—because sometimes, a single stat can shift the narrative of an entire era.