Lauri Markkanen literally stuffs Stephen Curry's shot in his face

Jason Owens
·Staff writer
Lauri Markkanen got the rare upper hand on Stephen Curry Wednesday night. (Getty)
Lauri Markkanen got the rare upper hand on Stephen Curry Wednesday night. (Getty)

Stephen Curry’s usually the one making other guys look silly.

Not Wednesday night. Not in Lauri Markkanen’s house.

The Chicago rookie found himself guarding Curry on the perimeter early during Wednesday’s Bulls-Warriors matchup at the United Center. He hung with Curry through a pump-fake and some fancy dancing at the three-point line before Curry decided to take him to the basket.

Then, this happened.

Ouch. Right off the forehead. That can’t feel good.

Markkanen, selected with Minnesota’s first-round pick in last year’s draft, has already grabbed attention for his stellar rookie season averaging 15.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. It’s a performance that has many proclaiming last season’s lopsided Jimmy Butler deal with the Timberwolves not so lopsided.

Now he’s gained the admiration of every NBA player who’s fallen victim to Curry’s shakes, bakes and ridiculous three-pointers.