Warriors vs Hornets highlights, result: Steph Curry drops 26 in win

1 week ago 2

The Golden State Warriors ended 2025 with a 132-125 victory against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Golden State was led by their big three of veterans as Warriors guard Stephen Curry went back home to Charlotte and scored 26 points on five threes at a 50% clip. Draymond Green had a near triple-double, tallying 10 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Jimmy Butler scored 19, including 11-of-12 from the charity stripe.

The Hornets' young big three carried Charlotte throughout the game. The combination of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel combined for 80 points.

Miller had a game-high 33 points. Ball had 27, making seven threes, and Knueppel in his return from a right ankle injury to add 20.

Colin Sexton had 16 points, eight assists and three steals as he provided energy for the Hornets.

But his energy was matched by the Warriors and their bench who scored 61 total points, led by Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos, who scored 19 and 13 points respectively.

It was raining three-pointers for Golden State, as they made a season-high 24 threes at a 48% rate.

The Warriors (18-16) move to two games above .500, yet still remain at No. 8 in the Western Conference standings. Their next game is at home against the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder on Prime Video on Jan. 2.

The Hornets fall to 11-22 and sit at the No. 12 spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Their next game is on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 2.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: News, stats, injuries and more

Warriors vs. Hornets highlights

1st quarter highlights

It was an even game to start out.

Quinten Post provided three-point shooting to open the game, he made three in the quarter and had nine points for Golden State.

The Hornets’ Brandon Miller led Charlotte with eight points in the first. Kon Knueppel, got going too, he had seven points and two assists in the first period.

Hornets backup center PJ Hall had five points in the opening minutes for Charlotte.

2nd quarter highlights

Miller continued to score. He ended the half with 19 points.

Curry scored 10 in the quarter. Warriors led by five at the half, 69-64.

3rd quarter highlights

Gui Santos made hustle plays as did other warriors. Santos got tough rebounds, steals and shots.

The Warriors biggest lead got up to 15. However, the Hornets went on a 15-3 run in the middle of the third quarter.

Ball scored 12 in the quarter, making all four of his attempts from deep. He also had two steals in the period.

It was charlotte who led after three, 100-98.

4th quarter highlights

Brandin Podziemski scored a quick nine points to start the fourth. He made a one-legged running three with the shot clock winding down. A couple plays later, he made a catch and shoot three on a pass from Santos. He added another three-pointer, from 26-feet, nothing but net.

Podziemski had 19 points off the bench.

The young core of Miller, Knueppel and Ball helped the Hornets make things interesting.

Colin Sexton was a menace for the Hornets all game. He ended the contest with 16 points, eight assists and three steals.

The Warriors season-high 24 made threes seemed to be timely for Golden State, as it helped keep their deficit insurmountable as the game leaned into its final moments.

The game was nearly iced when Curry missed a step-back three, but Green was there for the offensive rebound and put-back, layup tip-in.

Ball came out of the timeout and knocked down a one-legged fadeaway three-pointer from 26 feet with 24.7 seconds left, to make it a five-point deficit for the Hornets.

The Warriors eventually prevailed and went on to win the game, 132-125.

Warriors keys to victory

Pressure on young core: The Hornets are a young team that likes to play an up-and-down, exciting brand of basketball heralded by their young core: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and rookie Kon Knueppel. The Warriors should look to up the pressure on these guys and force others to be a factor in the game. The young core combined for 80 points, but also were forced to nine turnovers. Ball had five, Miller had three and Knueppel had one.
Team scoring: The Warriors have proved to be much more dynamic when everyone is involved scoring on offense. For example, their 58 bench points against the Nets helped key that win. Guys have to continue to step up when called upon. Golden State's bench production was key, especially 19 points from Podziemski and 13 from Santos.
Hustle and flow: Effort is a choice. It's a must to get guys hustling out there. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Gary Payton II, Will Richard and De'Anthony Melton, to name a few, were the players who were energetic on the defensive end and gaining advantage on 50-50 plays in the win at Brooklyn. Them, plus others, need to keep that same momentum. Have active hands and feet on defense. It helps ease into the offensive flow of the game, producing easy points. Melton had two steals. Santos, Richard came in provided instant energy in the game.
Warriors' Big Three affect the game: The trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green will continue to carry this team. Curry has to be Curry. Butler has to be "Jimmy Buckets" and Green needs to continue to be the heart and soul of this team, whether it's on the defensive end or selective scoring offensively, making defenses pay when they leave him open. The veteran big three had their fingerprints on the game. Curry had 26, Butler had 19 (including 11-of-12 from the free throw) and Green had a near triple-double with 10 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.