The Golden State Warriors are starting to find their rhythm, and their latest performance-a 136-116 win over the Charlotte Hornets-was another step in the right direction. Now sitting at 24-19 and holding onto the 8th seed in the Western Conference, Golden State is showing signs of the cohesion and depth that could make them a serious threat down the stretch.
But this wasn’t just a highlight reel of Steph Curry threes or Klay Thompson heaters. In fact, Curry had a relatively quiet night by his standards, and Jimmy Butler wasn’t on the court for the Hornets. Still, the game turned into a showcase of the Warriors’ depth and adaptability-two traits that have often defined their championship DNA.
Draymond Green, never one to shy away from calling it like he sees it, had some pointed thoughts about Charlotte’s defensive approach. “I’ve seen coaches get fired for playing that defense,” Green said postgame.
“They’re kind of just leaving us open. Playing all five guys to take Steph out the game.
So if you drove, kick, everybody was shooting open threes, and it was great. We was able to knock them down, make them pay for playing gimmicky defense.”
Green’s not wrong. The Hornets essentially sold out to contain Curry, throwing bodies at him from all directions and daring the rest of the Warriors to beat them.
And that’s exactly what happened. De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, and Green himself all made the most of the open looks and extra space.
The ball movement was crisp, the spacing was smart, and the Warriors’ supporting cast delivered.
This game was a reminder: overcommitting to Curry might seem like a sound strategy on paper, but it’s a dangerous game to play when the rest of the roster is locked in. Golden State punished Charlotte’s overhelping with a barrage of open threes and timely cuts, turning what could’ve been a grind-it-out night into a comfortable win.
Beyond the Xs and Os, there was another subplot brewing-Jonathan Kuminga’s situation. After weeks of speculation about his role and future with the team, Kuminga has remained a pro. He hasn’t cracked Steve Kerr’s rotation consistently, and trade rumors continue to swirl, but inside the locker room, he’s earning respect.
“He’s dealing with it better than probably I would,” Green said. “The way he’s dealt with this at 23 years old, I tip my hat to him because he’s staying engaged… his demeanor will carry him the rest of his life well because he’s been incredible.
He’s staying ready. He’s one of the best young guys I’ve been around.”
That’s high praise from a veteran who’s seen it all. Kuminga’s maturity and patience haven’t gone unnoticed, even as his minutes fluctuate. It’s a tough spot-being a young player with high expectations on a team that’s still trying to win now-but Kuminga’s approach is earning him credibility, both within the organization and around the league.
As the Warriors continue to navigate a crowded Western Conference and make decisions ahead of the trade deadline, balancing player development with immediate competitiveness will be key. But if they keep getting this kind of production from their bench and role players, and if guys like Kuminga stay locked in, they’ve got the pieces to make some noise.
Next up: the Miami Heat. Another test. Another chance to prove that this version of the Warriors-battle-tested, deep, and quietly surging-might be more dangerous than they’ve looked all season.