SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors defeated the New York Knicks by a score of 97-94 on March 15, 2025, extending their winning streak to seven games and setting new records for their coach, Steve Kerr.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, showcasing his skills against the Warriors' Draymond Green. This matchup carried additional weight due to previous tensions between Towns and Green, which saw the latter jokingly claim on his podcast earlier this month, “he was ducking Jimmy Butler,” referring to Towns’ absence during the March 4 game due to attending the funeral of a family friend.
Despite Towns’ impressive performance, the Knicks failed to pull through as they allowed the Warriors to pull away late. The scoring was tightly contested throughout, with the Knicks tying the game on Mikal Bridges’ jumper with 2:45 left on the clock. Unfortunately for New York, they faltered down the stretch, yielding to the Warriors’ 8-1 run.
“We’re learning,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after the game, noting the challenges faced during their five-game West Coast road trip which resulted in three loses. Towns expressed a desire to set the tone early and was aggressive, dunking over Green on the very first play of the game. Initially, he found success and had 11 points within the first six minutes of play.
“I wanted to bring energy to the team, especially early,” said Towns on his intentions for the game. Unfortunately, early foul trouble restricted his contributions as he was forced to exit the first half due to his third foul with 8:08 left in the second quarter. Tensions flared when the two got locked up on the perimeter following Towns’ call, leading to some heated exchanges.
For the Warriors, Steph Curry led all scorers with 28 points and demonstrated his usual flair with seven rebounds and five assists. He remains pivotal for the Warriors, contributing immensely to their success this season. Green, serving as the primary defender against Towns, made his own impacts felt when, with just 25 seconds remaining, he scored on Towns and broke out the infamous “night, night” celebration made famous by Curry.
“It was good to see KAT show up and play like this, physical,” assessed Green. “Probably the most physical I’ve seen him play. It was fun.” Towns, holding his composure during the physical matchup, opted to take the high road when pressed about Green’s earlier comments. “I choose to approach this with love, not hate,” Towns remarked.
The game showcased the chess match between aspects of talent and strategy for both teams. Although Green and Curry received the most attention, it was forward Moses Moody who made significant contributions off the bench, scoring 18 points and hitting four three-pointers, each offering timely boosts to Golden State’s scoring efforts.
The confrontation was emblematic of the larger rivalry between the two franchises. The Warriors held small leads throughout the game, and both teams exchanged runs, but Golden State always seemed to have the upper hand at the end of each quarter.
The Warriors’ momentum was palpable, taking the lead after the first quarter and maintaining it through to the close of the game, bolstered by their ability to capitalize on New York’s mistakes. The Knicks turned the ball over 13 times, leading to 19 points for Golden State, contrasting sharply with the Warriors' 11 turnovers, which cost them only 8 points.
After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr celebrated his milestone victory, securing his 558th win and moving past Hall of Famer Al Attles for the most regular-season wins as head coach for the franchise.
“It’s been quite the ride,” Kerr remarked when asked about his accomplishment. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and the players we’ve had.” Kerr’s team now stands 39-28, reinforcing hopes of securing strong playoff positioning as they prepare to face off against the Denver Nuggets next.
The loss for the Knicks drops their record to 42-24, leaving them clutching to the third position of the Eastern Conference standings. Following their challenging road trip, the team aims to bounce back when they return home to Madison Square Garden to face the Miami Heat. The looming challenge against Miami will require adjustments and perhaps the return of Jalen Brunson, who has been sidelined due to injury.
Both teams now face important stretch runs as they push toward the playoffs, with the Warriors positioned as potential contenders fueled by their current momentum. The outcome of this latest contest has only heightened the stakes between these two franchises, ensuring any rematches will be highly anticipated.