Stephen Curry scored 28 points and dished out nine assists to lead the Golden State Warriors past the New York Knicks, 114-102, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, improving his personal record to 12-1 at the iconic arena. Curry shook off right ankle soreness from the previous game and delivered 20 points in the second half, sparking a decisive 11-0 run late in the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach.
Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski added 19 points each, while Draymond Green nearly recorded a triple-double on his 35th birthday with eight points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. The Warriors, now 3-1 on their five-game road trip, capitalized on the Knicks’ struggles from beyond the arc, holding them to just 24% shooting from deep.
OG Anunoby led New York with 29 points, but without All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks couldn’t muster enough interior scoring to counter Golden State’s balanced attack. After a major win, let’s grade each Warriors player.
Stephen Curry: A
Stats: 28 PTS, 7 REB (0 OREB, 7 DREB), 9 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 10-21 FG, 5-9 3PT, 3-3 FT, +23, 33 MIN
Curry delivered a masterful performance at Madison Square Garden, scoring 28 points along with nine assists and seven rebounds. His second-half heroics, highlighted by 20 points, fueled an 11-0 run that put the game out of reach for the Knicks. Efficient shooting (10-of-21 FG, 5-of-9 3PT) and a +23 plus-minus demonstrated his impact on both ends of the floor. Despite dealing with right ankle soreness, Curry’s ability to orchestrate the offense and hit timely shots was instrumental in the Warriors’ victory.
Brandin Podziemski: B+
Stats: 19 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 8-16 FG, 2-6 3PT, 1-1 FT, -3, 32 MIN
Podziemski was a steady contributor with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists. His efficiency (8-of-16 FG) and aggressiveness in attacking the rim helped balance the Warriors’ offense. While he struggled a bit from three-point range (2-of-6), his playmaking and willingness to take key shots added valuable support for Curry.
Jimmy Butler III: B+
Stats: 19 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 6-12 FG, 0-3 3PT, 7-9 FT, +1, 35 MIN
Butler matched Podziemski with 19 points and added four rebounds and four assists. His ability to draw fouls (7-of-9 FT) and finish at the rim was crucial, especially on a night when his three-point shot wasn’t falling (0-of-3). His +1 plus-minus reflected a balanced impact, and despite a few defensive lapses, Butler’s scoring and secondary playmaking were vital in maintaining the Warriors’ lead.
Buddy Hield: B
Stats: 15 PTS, 6 REB (1 OREB, 5 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 6-13 FG, 3-10 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 23 MIN
Hield contributed 15 points and six rebounds, shooting 6-of-13 from the field but just 3-of-10 from beyond the arc. While his perimeter shooting was streaky, he provided timely scoring bursts to keep the Knicks at bay. Defensively, Hield’s lone block was a highlight, though his -4 plus-minus suggested room for improvement on that end. His off-ball movement and rebounding were positives, but more consistency from deep would have elevated his grade.
Draymond Green: B
Stats: 8 PTS, 9 REB (2 OREB, 7 DREB), 8 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 2-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-4 FT, +14, 35 MIN
Green flirted with a triple-double, tallying eight points, nine rebounds, and eight assists on his 35th birthday. His defensive versatility and playmaking were evident, but foul trouble (four fouls) limited his aggression at times. While Green’s +14 plus-minus underscored his importance, his limited scoring and occasional lapses in discipline prevented a higher grade.
Moses Moody: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 4 REB (2 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 4-8 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +21, 27 MIN
Moody added nine points and four rebounds off the bench, shooting 4-of-8 from the field. While his three-point shooting was subpar (1-of-4), his +21 plus-minus highlighted his positive impact, particularly on the defensive end. His energy and ability to make hustle plays helped the Warriors maintain control when the starters rested.
Gui Santos: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 4-6 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, +14, 15 MIN
Santos put together a productive 15-minute stint, scoring nine points on 4-of-6 shooting. His defensive activity, including a steal and a block, contributed to a +14 plus-minus. While his rebounding was minimal, Santos made the most of his minutes with efficient scoring and sound decision-making. His ability to stretch the floor and play solid defense was a promising sign for the Warriors’ depth.
Quinten Post: C
Stats: 3 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 3 PF, 1-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, +5, 15 MIN
Post struggled offensively, managing just three points on 1-of-4 shooting and committing three turnovers. His defensive contributions, including a block and a +5 plus-minus, helped offset some of his offensive woes. While his spacing ability with a made three-pointer was a plus, Post’s limited impact on the glass and turnover issues highlighted areas for improvement.
Kevon Looney: C
Stats: 2 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-2 FT, -6, 14 MIN
Looney’s impact was minimal, finishing with two points, four rebounds, and two blocks in 14 minutes. While his +6 plus-minus suggested some defensive effectiveness, his inability to capitalize at the free-throw line (0-of-2 FT) and limited offensive involvement hindered his grade. Looney’s interior defense was a bright spot, but a larger role in the rebounding battle would have boosted his performance.
Kevin Knox II: C-
Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB (1 OREB, 0 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -5, 12 MIN
Knox struggled to make an impact, scoring just two points on 1-of-3 shooting with a -5 plus-minus. While his two blocks were highlights, his limited offensive involvement and inability to convert open shots reduced his effectiveness. Knox’s defensive contributions were valuable in spurts, but to secure more minutes, he’ll need to improve his efficiency and overall presence on the floor.
