The Golden State Warriors didn’t have Jimmy Butler on the floor Saturday night - a late scratch due to personal reasons - but they didn’t miss a beat. In front of a roaring Chase Center crowd, the Warriors lit it up from deep and overwhelmed the Charlotte Hornets in a 136-116 win that was as historic as it was electric.
A Record-Breaking Night from Downtown
Let’s start with the headline: Golden State just became the first team in NBA history to have 10 or more players hit a three-pointer in three straight games. That’s not just a hot streak - that’s rewriting the record books.
This team didn’t just shoot the three well, they turned it into a team-wide art form. The Warriors went 23-of-52 from beyond the arc, good for 44.2%, and it felt like every player who touched the floor was a threat to let it fly.
It’s the kind of offensive depth that makes this team so dangerous. When you’ve got a roster where nearly everyone can stretch the floor, it forces defenses into impossible decisions - and Charlotte learned that the hard way.
Melton’s Moment
The story of the night, though, was De’Anthony Melton. The veteran guard is still working his way back from a knee injury, but you wouldn’t know it from the way he played.
Melton exploded for 13 points in the final five minutes of the third quarter, turning a tight game into a Warriors runaway. He finished with a team-high 24 points on an efficient 8-of-16 from the field, including 3-of-6 from deep and a perfect 5-for-5 at the line.
Add in six boards and three assists in under 22 minutes, and you’ve got a performance that turned heads.
This wasn’t just a hot night - it was the third time in six games that Melton has set a new season-high in scoring. He’s finding his rhythm, and it’s coming at the perfect time for a Warriors team that’s starting to surge.
Draymond, Podziemski and the Bench Brigade
With Stephen Curry held to just 14 points on 2-of-8 shooting from three, Charlotte’s game plan was clear: swarm the two-time MVP and make someone else beat them. The problem? The Warriors have a lot of someone elses.
Draymond Green, often the facilitator, flipped the script and became a scorer. He dropped 20 points - just his second 20-point game of the season - on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 from deep. When Draymond is knocking down threes, you know things are clicking.
Golden State’s bench was phenomenal, pouring in 70 points on the night. Brandin Podziemski continued his strong rookie campaign with 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists - another all-around performance that shows just how impactful he can be.
Buddy Hield, getting extra run with Butler out, reminded everyone he’s still one of the league’s purest shooters. He chipped in 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting in under 18 minutes.
Rookie Rising
And then there’s Will Richard. Thrust into the starting lineup in Butler’s absence, the 56th overall pick made the most of his opportunity.
Richard scored 11 points, pulled down six rebounds, dished out five assists, and swiped three steals - all while finishing with a game-high +24 in nearly 31 minutes. For a second-round rookie, that’s not just solid - that’s eye-opening.
Warriors Heating Up
Golden State has now won 11 of its last 15 games, improving to 24-19 on the season. With momentum building and contributions coming from all corners of the roster, this team is starting to look like the deep, dangerous squad fans hoped to see.
Next up? A Monday night matchup against the Miami Heat. If this version of the Warriors shows up again, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.