On February 25, 2025, the Charlotte Hornets were set to take on the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center, hoping to snap their three-game losing streak and improve their chances for the month. The Hornets, already facing challenges, were significantly hampered by the absence of key players due to injuries.
LaMelo Ball was ruled out for the game due to injury management related to his right ankle, along with another key player, Brandon Miller, sidelined with wrist issues. This left the Hornets with shadows of their best selves and placed them at a disadvantage as they confronted the Warriors, who had been on fire, winning five of their last six games.
The Warriors welcomed new talent to their roster with the signing of Australian guard Taran Armstrong to a two-way contract before the match. "The Golden State Warriors have signed guard Taran Armstrong to a two-way contract, it was announced today," the team stated, marking the young guard's leap from the Cairns Taipans of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) to the NBA stage.
Armstrong had averaged impressive stats during his time with the Taipans, including 17.2 points per game on 46.1% shooting this season, which could prove beneficial as Golden State seeks to bolster its depth. With superstars like Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green leading the charge, the Warriors had championship aspirations firmly in sight.
At tip-off, the excitement was palpable. The Hornets looked to overcome the odds with KJ Simpson stepping up as the team leader. Simpson scored eight points early, but the Hornets faced stiff competition as the Warriors’ potent offensive roster began establishing their rhythm. Golden State quickly capitalized on Charlotte's turnovers, building up to an early 28-18 lead as they balanced their scoring across multiple players.
Still, the Hornets' performance showed flashes of potential, particularly with Simpson and Mark Williams contributing where they could. Charlotte found themselves pressing to stay within distance, but their 12 turnovers during the first half severely undermined their efforts.
Even amid struggles, the Hornets managed to keep the game competitive with efforts from Miles Bridges and Josh Green, who provided significant contributions as the first half progressed. The team’s resolve was visible as they elevated their game midway through the second quarter.
Warriors fans were treated to consistent scoring splashes from their favorites, particularly from Steph Curry, who managed to keep up the momentum. Golden State's bench players, including Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield, added to the collective strength of the team as they pushed through to establish a decisive lead by the halftime mark.
At halftime, the scoreboard reflected the Warriors leading 56-41, setting the tone for the second half. Despite being heavy underdogs, the Hornets were not ready to relinquish the fight entirely. Should they remain vigilant and reduce their turnover count, hopes for staying competitive were alive for Charlotte.
This game represented not just another matchup for both teams, but rather reflections on their season's trajectories. For the Warriors, success was seemingly within reach, but for the Hornets, the road to recovery loomed large. What lay beyond this game continued to fuel the narrative of their respective seasons, as fans looked forward to how each team would navigate the coming challenges.