Hornets Fall as Curry Enjoys Homecoming Honors
The 4-time NBA Champion scored 26 Points against the Hornets in a 132-125 win for Golden State, one day after the "Stephen Curry Interchange" was unveiled at Curry's alma mater, Davidson College.
Golden State outlasts Charlotte in high-scoring affair on New Year’s Eve
The Golden State Warriors continued their recent run of form Wednesday afternoon, getting by the hometown Hornets 132-125 to finish the 2025 calendar year with a victory, their fifth in the last six games. With a Spectrum Arena record 19,685 fans in attendance, Charlotte native Stephen Curry led the way with 26 points for the Warriors. Despite a valiant effort and 33 points from Brandon Miller, Charlotte were unable to avoid a second consecutive defeat after two straight wins last week.
With the loss, the Hornets fell to 11-22 on the season, ending 2025 in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. The Warriors improved to 18-16, staying above .500 and ending their calendar year in 8th place in the West.
After the Hornets raced to a 10-3 lead in the first quarter, Golden State was able to find their rhythm to quickly get back on even footing. With both teams moving the ball up the court quickly and getting up quick shots, the high-scoring quarter ended with Golden State and Charlotte knotted up at 30.
The second quarter featured some lights-out shooting by both squads. Golden State shot 14/20 (70%) from the field in the quarter, including 8/12 from long-distance and a four-point play from Curry. Charlotte nearly kept pace with 34 points of their own, including 11 of Brandon Miller’s 19 first-half points, but the Warriors went into the locker room with a 69-64 halftime lead on the back of 60% shooting and 13 made three-pointers.
Golden State flew out of the gates to start the second half, going on a 10-0 run to take a 79-64 advantage and force Hornets head coach Charles Lee to call a timeout. Charlotte responded with a 25-9 run over the next four and a half minutes to take an 89-88 lead after two consecutive Lamelo Ball three-pointers, and the third frame eventually finished with the Hornets hanging on to a slim 100-98 lead.
The Warriors once again found the hot hand to start the fourth, as they went on a 13-4 run fueled by three three point baskets from guard Brandon Podziemski, forcing another Hornets’ timeout. Although Charlotte competed well, they were never able to get closer than 4 points the rest of the way.
Keys to the Game
The Hornets and Warriors provided fireworks throughout, with both teams shooting over 50% overall from the field and 40% or better from long distance. Three-point shooting proved to be the difference, with Golden State making 24 three-pointers to the Hornets’ 16.
The Warriors balanced scoring was too much to overcome for Charlotte. They had five players score in double figures, led by Curry’s 26 points on 9/16 shooting and 5/10 from three. They also had five other players who chipped in at least 7 points.
Draymond Green delivered a masterful performance for the Warriors, nearly notching a triple double with 10 points, 12 assists and 8 rebounds to go along with his usual relentless defense.
Jimmy Butler and Brandon Podziemski each scored 19 points, combining to go 10-17 from the field. Butler also finished 11/12 from the free throw line.
Buzz Bright Spots
Brandon Miller’s 33-point performance included three spectacular, rim-rattling dunks off the fast-break that brought the crowd to its feet.
Kon Knueppel put up his usual impressive stat line, finishing with 20 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds.
Before the game, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr was full of praise for the first-year player. “I mean, it’s crazy to watch him play and think, is he 19? I don’t know, 20? But one year of college, and he looks like a ten-year vet out there.”
The NBA announced today that Knueppel earned his second-consecutive Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for December. Knueppel leads all rookies in 3-pointers made (117) and 3-point percentage (.432 3P%), and ranks in the top three in total points (617), field goals made (214), assists (115) and minutes played (1,059) while ranking 5th in rebounds (164). He led all rookies in points per game in December (19.3) and is one of two rookies (Cooper Flagg) with three 30-point performances this season. Knueppel recorded a career-high 33 points and a career-high-tying nine assists against Chicago on Dec. 12.
LaMelo Ball also had an impressive overall floor game, tallying 27 points on an efficient 9/13 from the field to go along with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.
PJ Hall produced his best performance yet as a member of the Hornets in his third game with the team since being acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies on Christmas Eve. He finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in 16 minutes off the bench.
Buzz-Worthy Facts
Miller posted his second consecutive 30-point outing after producing none in his previous 14 games this season.
Curry came into the game averaging 25.3 points in 24 previous matchups against the Hornets. He barely eclipsed that mark with two free throws near the end of the 4th quarter.
The Warriors’ 24 three-pointers matched a season high.
Moussa Diabate got his sixth start of the season as he replaced the injured Ryan Kalkbrenner for the Buzz, finishing the game scoreless but with 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and a block in 28 minutes. The Hornets took the court with only 10 players in the lineup.
Davidson College Honors Curry
During Davidson College’s December 30th home game against Duquesne, Curry’s alma mater honored their most famous alum.
Curry was joined by teammates Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, as the Wildcats honored the naming of Interstate 77's Exit 30 as the Stephen Curry Interchange.
What’s Next
The Hornets will hit the road for their next three games, starting with a back-to-back this Friday and Saturday against Milwaukee and Chicago, followed by a Monday night matchup against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Their next home game is Wednesday January 7 against Toronto.
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