SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors marked a monumental milestone on Tuesday night, crushing the Charlotte Hornets 128-92 to capture their 3,000th franchise victory. This achievement puts the Warriors among basketball royalty, joining only four other NBA teams – the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers – to reach this impressive mark.
Led by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, both scoring 15 points, the Warriors showcased their prowess at the Chase Center, reinforcing their position as playoff contenders. Buddy Hield added another 16 points off the bench, and the Warriors have now won four straight games, moving up to eighth place in the Western Conference standings.
Curry’s shooting wasn’t up to his usual standard, hitting just 6 of 14 attempts and making 2 of 9 from beyond the arc. Yet, with the Hornets struggling — they have now lost four consecutive games and 13 of their last 15 — the Warriors appeared hardly troubled by Curry's off night.
Charlotte’s struggles were compounded by the absence of their star guard LaMelo Ball, sidelined due to illness and ankle issues. KJ Simpson led the Hornets with 16 points, but the team's performance was marred by carelessness, committing 24 turnovers which handed the Warriors 37 points off those mistakes. This marked the eighth time this season the Hornets hit the 20-turnover mark.
The Warriors took control of the game with a standout third quarter, scoring 41 points, the 11th time this season they’ve hit at least 40 points within one quarter. And, they did so with relative ease, as the game allowed their stars to rest for the upcoming five-game road trip, with Curry playing only 24 minutes and Green 23 minutes.
Reflecting on the team's performance, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised the balance and fluidity of their play. The Warriors assisted on 39 of their 49 baskets and only committed 12 turnovers themselves.
The matchup had personal significance for Curry, whose father, Dell, has roots with Charlotte as a longtime commentator, and brother Seth is making his mark this season as one of their players. Unsurprisingly, Curry showed up with extra motivation, including two back-to-back three-pointers early on, marking the shift toward dominance for his team.
On the other side, the Hornets were left to process yet another painful loss. There were flashes of talent, such as from Simpson and Seth Curry, who added 14 points, but the overall team chemistry fell flat. The Hornets must now regroup and prepare for their upcoming game against the Dallas Mavericks – their last on this nine-game road trip.
For the Warriors, this win signifies more than just another tally on the schedule. It reflects their improvement, resilience, and the ability to capitalize on their opponent’s errors. The Warriors now seem to be finding their rhythm, embodying the spirit of competition as they head toward what they hope will be another playoff run.
Despite the doom surrounding the Hornets, coach Steve Clifford remains optimistic. "Every game is another chance to grow and improve," he said. The weight of expectations and the reality of defeats can challenge even the most resilient teams, but it is this perseverance and hope for redemption after setbacks which often defines the essence of sportsmanship.
Looking forward, the Warriors have their eyes set on sustaining this momentum as they approach their next set of challenges. The upcoming five-game road trip will be pivotal for their playoff aspirations, especially as they continue to build on this latest victory, confident yet cautious as they navigate the winding path toward success.