Stephen Curry had 21 points and 10 assists in his annual homecoming game, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 119-101 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night for their sixth win in seven games. Raised in Charlotte and a former Davidson College standout, Curry faced relentless double-teams in the first half but responded by finding open teammates, dishing out nine assists before halftime.Â
Buddy Hield scored 22 points and Brandin Podziemski added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors, while Draymond Green contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds. The game turned chippy in the third quarter after a collision between LaMelo Ball and Gary Payton II forced Payton to leave with a head injury.Â
Moments later, Steve Kerr was assessed a technical foul and Green received a flagrant-1. However, Hield’s back-to-back threes and a corner triple from Jimmy Butler restored the Warriors’ control after Charlotte had trimmed the lead to three.
Despite Curry’s streak of 29 consecutive made free throws ending, Golden State’s depth proved too much for the injury-depleted Hornets, who dropped their seventh straight game. Let’s provide a grade for every Warriors player for his performance.Â
Draymond Green: B+
Stats: 16 PTS, 12 REB (3 OREB, 9 DREB), 6 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 4 PF, 6-15 FG, 2-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, +20, 28 MIN
Green delivered a vintage all-around performance with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, playing a crucial role in the Warriors’ victory. His defensive presence was undeniable, as he registered two steals and maintained a +20 plus-minus. Although his shooting efficiency (6-of-15 FG) was shaky, Green’s ability to facilitate and anchor the defense offset his offensive struggles. His flagrant-1 foul in the third quarter briefly threatened to shift momentum, but his leadership and energy remained vital.
Buddy Hield: B+
Stats: 22 PTS, 5 REB (0 OREB, 5 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 8-14 FG, 5-9 3PT, 1-1 FT, +9, 31 MIN
Hield was a sharpshooter for the Warriors, scoring 22 points on an efficient 8-of-14 shooting, including five three-pointers. His back-to-back triples in the third quarter halted the Hornets’ rally, restoring control for Golden State. Hield’s ability to space the floor was instrumental in breaking down Charlotte’s defense, and his +9 plus-minus reflected his positive impact. While his playmaking was limited with just two assists, his scoring punch more than compensated.
Brandin Podziemski: B+
Stats: 19 PTS, 11 REB (4 OREB, 7 DREB), 2 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 6-16 FG, 4-11 3PT, 3-4 FT, +17, 32 MIN
Podziemski showcased his versatility with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals, earning a double-double. His energy on the boards, including four offensive rebounds, provided crucial second-chance opportunities for the Warriors. Though his shooting was inefficient (6-of-16 FG, 4-of-11 3PT), his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game was valuable. His +17 plus-minus highlighted his impact despite some shooting struggles.
Stephen Curry: B
Stats: 21 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 10 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 6-14 FG, 3-9 3PT, 6-8 FT, +13, 30 MIN
Curry’s homecoming performance was solid but not spectacular by his standards, as he finished with 21 points and 10 assists. Constant double-teams limited his scoring efficiency (6-of-14 FG, 3-of-9 3PT), but he responded by finding open teammates, recording nine assists by halftime. His +13 plus-minus underscored his steady influence, even though his streak of 29 consecutive made free throws ended. Curry’s ability to orchestrate the offense effectively compensated for his quieter scoring night.
Jimmy Butler III: C+
Stats: 13 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 1 PF, 3-7 FG, 1-3 3PT, 6-6 FT, +15, 31 MIN
Butler contributed 13 points and four assists but struggled with turnovers, committing three in the game. His efficiency was decent (3-of-7 FG, 6-of-6 FT), and his +15 plus-minus suggested he made positive contributions when on the floor. A timely corner three-pointer in the third quarter helped quell the Hornets’ run, but his ball security remains an area for improvement.
Gary Payton II: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 4-7 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +6, 10 MIN
Payton’s night was cut short by a head injury, but he managed to score nine points in just 10 minutes of action. His efficiency (4-of-7 FG) and +6 plus-minus reflected a positive impact in limited minutes. Known for his defense, Payton added a steal and a block, displaying his usual activity on that end before his early exit.
Kevon Looney: C+
Stats: 4 PTS, 6 REB (0 OREB, 6 DREB), 3 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 2-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +4, 14 MIN
Looney played a modest role, finishing with four points and six rebounds in 14 minutes. His +4 plus-minus showed he wasn’t a liability, but his impact was relatively limited. Despite the low scoring output, his screen setting and interior defense were helpful, even if not flashy on the stat sheet.
Quinten Post: C
Stats: 6 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 2-6 FG, 2-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 17 MIN
Post contributed six points and three rebounds off the bench but struggled with efficiency (2-of-6 FG). His ability to stretch the floor with two made three-pointers was a positive, but his -2 plus-minus and limited defensive impact highlighted areas for growth. Despite a mixed performance, his willingness to take open shots helped keep the Hornets’ defense honest.
Moses Moody: C
Stats: 5 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 1-6 FG, 0-2 3PT, 3-3 FT, +11, 21 MIN
Moody’s shooting struggles were evident as he went 1-of-6 from the field, finishing with just five points. However, his five rebounds and +11 plus-minus suggested he found ways to contribute defensively and on the glass. His 3-of-3 free-throw shooting was a bright spot, but the Warriors need more efficiency from him moving forward.
Gui Santos: C-
Stats: 0 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 0-3 FG, 0-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 19 MIN
Santos had a rough night, failing to score on 0-of-3 shooting, all from beyond the arc. While he did add three rebounds and three assists, his -3 plus-minus and lack of offensive production limited his effectiveness. His defensive activity wasn’t enough to offset his offensive struggles, making this a game to forget for the young forward.
Kevin Knox II: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 2 MIN
Knox played just two minutes, scoring two points on his lone shot attempt. His impact was minimal given the limited floor time, making it difficult to draw any significant conclusions about his performance.
Pat Spencer: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 2 MIN
Spencer saw the floor for two minutes and made the most of it by scoring on his only field goal attempt. Like Knox, his limited minutes prevented any substantial evaluation, but his quick scoring was a small positive.
Trayce Jackson-Davis: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 2 MIN
Jackson-Davis did not record any stats in his two minutes of action, making it impossible to grade his performance meaningfully. His lone contribution was a personal foul, which didn’t impact the game’s outcome.
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