Warriors Cruise Past Hornets in One of Their Most Balanced Wins of the Season
Saturday night at Chase Center started with confusion, but ended with clarity - the Golden State Warriors are rolling.
Before the game even tipped off against the Charlotte Hornets, things got weird. Charlotte’s All-Star guard LaMelo Ball was left out of the starting lineup, and then in an unexpected twist, Golden State’s announced starters didn’t match the five who actually took the floor. Will Richard started; Jimmy Butler III, who had been introduced minutes earlier, was suddenly nowhere to be found.
Turns out, there were explanations. Ball is on a minutes plan, with Charlotte playing again on Sunday, so he came off the bench for just the second time this season.
As for Butler, he was ruled out due to personal reasons - a surprise even to head coach Steve Kerr, who said the team found out after introductions. The good news: Kerr confirmed everything’s fine and Butler is expected back Monday.
Once the game got underway, the only thing odd was how smooth the Warriors looked. Golden State never trailed, built an early lead, and coasted to a 136-116 win - a wire-to-wire performance that showcased just how deep and connected this team can be when it’s clicking.
Offense in Rhythm, Draymond in Attack Mode
The tone was set early. Moses Moody drilled a three on the first possession.
The ball movement was crisp, the cuts were sharp, and the Warriors were getting open looks all over the floor. One of the early surprises?
Draymond Green, who was aggressive from the jump and kept Charlotte honest every time they dared him to shoot. He finished with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting - his highest-scoring game since returning from suspension - and delivered timely buckets to halt Hornets runs.
Even when Steph Curry checked out late in the first quarter, the offense didn’t stall. Buddy Hield, back in the rotation with Butler and Gui Santos out, gave the second unit a boost. Golden State closed the quarter strong and led 39-28 after one.
Kon Knueppel Shines, But Warriors Keep Control
Charlotte didn’t go quietly. Rookie Kon Knueppel - who continues to impress in his debut season - kept the Hornets within striking distance, scoring efficiently and crashing the glass. But every time Charlotte made a push, Golden State had an answer.
The Warriors' depth was on full display. Kerr praised it postgame, and for good reason - 10 different Warriors hit a three-pointer for the third straight game, a feat no other team in NBA history has accomplished. The non-Steph minutes, often a sore spot earlier this season, were smoother thanks to steady contributions from across the roster.
The first half ended with a flurry of highlights. Draymond zipped a perfect pass to Brandin Podziemski, who buried a straightaway three with 1.6 seconds left. Charlotte answered with a buzzer-beating heave from Miles Bridges, but Golden State still took a 69-57 lead into the break.
Melton’s Spark, Third-Quarter Surge Seal It
Charlotte made one last push early in the third, led by Brandon Miller, who continues to look like a foundational piece for the Hornets. But the Warriors punched back - and then some.
A 17-3 run midway through the third quarter turned a close game into a blowout. The ball was flying, the defense tightened up, and the threes kept falling.
De’Anthony Melton was the spark. He led the team with 24 points off the bench, shooting 8-of-16 from the field, and added six rebounds and three assists.
His energy was contagious, and his two-way play gave Golden State a serious lift. He capped the third quarter with a steal on Ball, sprinted coast-to-coast, and drew a foul with 0.2 seconds left.
Two free throws later, the Warriors led 112-94 heading into the fourth.
Balanced, Confident, and Deep
The final quarter was drama-free. Curry played sparingly, benches emptied midway through, and the Warriors cruised to the finish line. It was one of their most balanced performances of the season - eight players scored in double figures, including Podziemski (16), Curry (14), Hield (14), Moody (12), Richard (11), and Al Horford (11), along with Melton and Green.
Golden State hit 23 threes on 52 attempts, good for 44.2%. And despite Curry’s off night from deep (2-for-8) and Klay Thompson now playing in Dallas, the Warriors set a franchise record by making 20+ threes in three straight games. That’s a testament to the system, the spacing, and the confidence this group is playing with.
Hornets Show Flashes, But Warriors Dictate Terms
To their credit, the Hornets showed why their young core is worth keeping an eye on. Miller finished with 28 points, six boards, and five assists, while Knueppel added 24 points and 11 rebounds, going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. The future’s bright in Charlotte - but Saturday night belonged to the Warriors.
Golden State improves to 25-19, now 5-1 on their eight-game homestand, and winners of 11 of their last 15. With the schedule softening and the rotation starting to settle, the Warriors are eyeing a move out of the Play-In and into the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture.
They’ll be back on the floor Monday night, hosting the Miami Heat at Chase Center.