The Golden State Warriors delivered a commanding performance tonight, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 119-101 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The interconference clash showcased the Warriors’ depth and resilience, as they bounced back from a recent loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Hornets struggled to halt their six-game skid.
Curry Shines, Warriors Dominate Early
Stephen Curry led the charge for Golden State, finishing with 23 points and 11 assists, a maestro orchestrating the Warriors’ offense against a Hornets squad that couldn’t find its rhythm. The visitors jumped out to a 28-21 lead by the end of the first quarter, capitalizing on Charlotte’s sloppy play and turnovers. By halftime, the Warriors had stretched their advantage to 58-49, with Curry’s nine assists in the first half alone setting the tone.
Jimmy Butler, listed as probable with back spasms, gutted it out and added 18 points and seven rebounds, proving his value despite a lingering injury. Gary Payton Jr. chipped in 14 points off the bench, while Draymond Green’s defensive tenacity—highlighted by three steals—kept Charlotte’s offense in check. The Warriors’ efficiency stood out, shooting 47.8% from the field compared to the Hornets’ dismal 42.5%, the league’s worst.
Hornets Fight Back but Fall Short
Charlotte, desperate to snap their losing streak, leaned heavily on Miles Bridges, who erupted for a game-high 35 points, including four three-pointers, and nine rebounds. LaMelo Ball contributed 25 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, showing flashes of brilliance with four triples of his own. Mark Williams anchored the paint with 12 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Golden State’s relentless pressure.
The Hornets’ woes were evident in their offensive struggles—29th in the league in efficiency at 103.7 points per 100 possessions. Despite a spirited third-quarter push that narrowed the gap to nine (86-77), Charlotte couldn’t sustain the momentum. The Warriors pulled away in the fourth, outscoring the hosts 33-24, with Curry and Butler sealing the deal.
A Tale of Two Teams
For Golden State (33-28), the win bolsters their playoff hopes in the Western Conference, where they’re battling to climb from seventh place and avoid the play-in tournament. The victory marked their fifth win in six games since the All-Star break, a testament to their resilience despite Jonathan Kuminga’s ongoing absence due to an ankle injury.
Charlotte (14-46), meanwhile, sinks deeper into Eastern Conference obscurity, sitting 14th with a lottery-bound 14-46 record. Their offensive stagnation—failing to reach 100 points in five straight games prior—persisted, even with Bridges and Ball’s heroics. The Hornets’ injury list, including questionable statuses for Seth Curry and Wendell Moore Jr., didn’t help their cause.
Looking Ahead
The Warriors head into a road back-to-back with confidence, facing the New York Knicks tomorrow night. For the Hornets, the loss stings, but the focus shifts to regrouping as they host the Washington Wizards on March 5. Tonight, Golden State’s firepower and Charlotte’s struggles told a familiar story—one of a contender asserting dominance and a struggling side searching for answers.
