SAN FRANCISCO — Playing without their second-best player at Chase Center on Saturday night, the Warriors looked to unexpected places to provide an offensive spark against the Hornets.
Jimmy Butler was set to be a part of the starting lineup, but he was a late scratch and replaced by rookie Will Richard while being absent from the bench. The Warriors later announced that Butler, who scored 32 points against the Timberwolves on Thursday, was out for personal reasons.
So obviously the answer was to give Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski, two players frequently maligned for shooting struggles, more shot attempts. Green scored 20 points while making four 3-pointers, while Podziemski poured in 16 off the bench in the Warriors 136-116 victory.
Obviously, even with one of their stars out, the Warriors had no problem dicing up an iffy Hornets defense.
The Warriors made 23 of 52 3-pointers. It marked the third consecutive game the team had made at least 20 triples in three consecutive games, a team record according to Warriors statistics expert Darryl Arata. They also became the first franchise to have at least 10 players make a 3-pointer in three consecutive games.
Steph Curry put in 14 points and De’Anthony Melton scored 24, while Richard put in 11 in the spot start. Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel combined for 52 points for Charlotte.
Showing the kind of form that had helped the team go 4-1 to start the ongoing 8-game Warriors homestand, they led 69-57 at halftime, with both Green and Podziemski scoring exactly 10 points.
The Hornets, bringing All-Star guard LaMelo Ball off the bench, saw Miller and Knueppel lead the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Ball was aggressive but inefficient, shooting just 5 of 17 from the field.
Melton helped spur the Warriors to a strong third quarter finish by scoring 13 points, taking advantage of Charlotte’s pillow soft perimeter defense to slice to the rim almost at will. Golden State led 112-94 after three quarters.
The Warriors (24-19) will face Miami on Monday.
Buddy Hield’s impact
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 29: Buddy Hield #7 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a basket against Noah Clowney #21 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Barclays Center on December 29, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)With Butler a late scratch, Jonathan Kuminga banished to the bench after his trade request and reserve forward Gui Santos also out with an ankle injury, the depleted Warriors had few options left on the wing.
They dusted off Buddy Hield, who has been relegated to the role of healthy spectator for several weeks now, and asked him to play 18 minutes. The 32-year-old Bahamian made an immediate impact with his … defense?
The known marksman tie his career high for blocks in a game in the first quarter alone by swatting three shots. He ended up scoring 14 points and nabbing two steals in 18 productive minutes off the bench.
Family reunion
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) warms up before the start of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)Everywhere one looked at Chase Center on Saturday evening, they would see Curry. On the court, where Steph had an effective if unspectacular night against his hometown team to the tune of 14 points.
In the crowd, where his No. 30 jerseys were in abundance. On the injury report, where brother Seth sat with a sciatica diagnosis. And behind the microphone, where father Dell announced the game for the Hornets’ television broadcast.
The Hornets recently announced that the organization will retired Dell’s No. 30 jersey on March. 19. Steph, Kerr and broadcast partner Eric Collins spoke about the honor, and the full story can be read here.
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