CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Stephen Curry displayed his signature skills and led the Golden State Warriors to victory with 21 points and 10 assists during his annual homecoming game against the Charlotte Hornets, resulting in a final score of 119-101 on Monday night. This win was the Warriors' sixth triumph out of their last seven matches, continuing their strong performance this season.
Curry, who was raised in Charlotte and played college basketball at nearby Davidson College, finished the game shooting 6 of 14 from the field, including hitting three 3-pointers. Despite Curry facing relentless double-teams from the Hornets' defense throughout the first half, he adeptly adjusted by facilitating offense for his teammates, providing them with open looks for easy baskets, securing nine assists by the halftime mark.
"It wasn’t the cleanest game, but it was a win... and it got the Dubs to the sixth seed in the Western Conference," said sports analyst Sam Gordon after the game, underscoring the significance of the victory for the Warriors' playoff positioning.
Buddy Hield shone for the Warriors, adding 22 points to the scoreboard, and Brandin Podziemski contributed with 19 points and 10 rebounds, both proving pivotal as the Warriors rallied to pull away from Charlotte after halftime. Draymond Green rounded out the strong performance with 16 points and 13 rebounds, demonstrating the all-around skill set which has consistently helped the Warriors thrive.
The Hornets, on the other hand, have faced significant challenges this season. The team has now lost 10 of their last 11 games, and this latest defeat marks their seventh consecutive loss. Miles Bridges was Charlotte's standout performer, scoring 35 points, and LaMelo Ball added 25 points along with nine rebounds, but their efforts fell short against the well-oiled Warriors.
Throughout the game, tensions escalated, particularly during the third quarter when Gary Payton II suffered a head injury after colliding with Ball. This physical play was emblematic of the competitive nature of the game, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr receiving a technical foul shortly thereafter and Green being assessed a flagrant-1 foul for his part.
Key moments came late in the third quarter when the Hornets had cut the Warriors' lead to just three points. Hield responded by knocking down back-to-back three-pointers, followed by Jimmy Butler adding another corner three to quickly extend the lead to double digits. This offensive burst highlighted Hield’s importance to the team's dynamic ability to score, particularly when games become tightly contested.
Curry also experienced something unusual for him, as he missed two free throws during the game, ending his consecutive free throw streak at 29 shots. Despite this blip, he continued guiding the Warriors effectively, ensuring they stayed on the offensive front as they sought to build on their earlier performances this season.
Looking to the future, the Warriors are poised to face the New York Knicks on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, trying to keep their momentum going, whereas the Hornets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, hoping to turn around their losing streak.