Hornets Struggle Against Warriors in High-Scoring Showdown
The Charlotte Hornets traveled to Golden State on Saturday night and came up short in a 136-116 loss to the Warriors, marking the second time this season Golden State has beaten Charlotte. The first matchup came on New Year’s Eve in Charlotte, and with this win, Golden State now takes the season series 2-0. Charlotte showed flashes of energy and talent, but the Warriors’ balance, depth, and incredible shooting made it a tough night for the Hornets. From tip-off, Golden State set the tone, scoring 39 points in the first quarter compared to Charlotte’s 28. The Hornets had sparks early, with Brandon Miller scoring eight points, Kon Knueppel adding seven, and Grant Williams chipping in seven off the bench in the first quarter, but the Warriors’ nine scorers in the opening quarter quickly established control.
Bench Dominance and Depth Define Golden State
Golden State’s bench was the driving force in this game, scoring a season-high 72 points, which is even more than the 61 they put up against the Hornets earlier this season. The depth of the team was on full display, with nine different Warriors scoring in the first quarter and ten different players finding the basket in the second quarter alone. De’Anthony Melton led the bench with 24 points, including 13 in the third quarter, which is when Golden State really pulled away and took control of the game. Other key contributors included Brandin Podziemski with 16 points off the bench and Buddy Hield with 14, while starters like Draymond Green added 20 points, Stephen Curry had 14, Moses Moody put up 12, Will Richard scored 11, and Al Horford contributed 11 off the bench. Between the starters and bench, Golden State’s balanced scoring and depth made it nearly impossible for Charlotte to keep up the pace, showing once again that the Warriors’ second unit is a matchup nightmare for the Hornets.
Hornets Find Moments of Competitiveness
Charlotte showed some encouraging moments throughout the game, even if they ultimately came up short. In the second quarter, Miller and Collin Sexton were active offensively, combining for 16 points. At the same time, Miles Bridges hit a big 64-foot full-court three-pointer at the buzzer to send the Hornets into halftime with some momentum. The Hornets were able to play closer to Golden State’s pace in the second quarter, cutting into the lead and keeping the game competitive. The third quarter saw Charlotte push even harder, with Knueppel and Sexton each scoring ten points to bring the Hornets within three points midway through the period. Unfortunately, Melton went off for 13 points in the same quarter, helping the Warriors pull away. By the time the game reached the fourth quarter, Golden State had built an 18-point lead, effectively putting the game out of reach despite Charlotte’s best efforts.
Shooting Efficiency Tells the Story
Golden State’s shooting was nearly flawless, connecting on 55 percent of their field goals and 44 percent from three-point range, finishing with 23 made triples. The Hornets struggled to keep pace despite strong individual performances. Miller led Charlotte with 28 points, while Knueppel added 24 points and 11 rebounds. Sexton and LaMelo Ball provided 17 and 15 points off the bench, respectively, but the Hornets could not find enough consistent scoring beyond these contributions. The Warriors’ ability to involve nearly every player in scoring made the difference, highlighting the contrast between the teams.
Standings and What’s Next?
With the win, Golden State improves to 24-19 on the season, sitting eighth in the Western Conference, placing them in the middle of the Play-In picture. They will return to Chase Center on Monday night to face the Miami Heat, led by Norman Powell, hoping to build momentum and secure a higher playoff position. Charlotte falls to 15-27, sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference, just outside Play-In eligibility. The Hornets are now four games behind the Atlanta Hawks, who hold the final play-in spot, making every upcoming game critical. Charlotte will travel to Denver on Sunday to face Jamal Murray and the Nuggets, providing another challenge and an opportunity to show they can compete against elite teams.
Key Takeaways from the Game
The game highlighted several major takeaways for both teams. Golden State’s bench depth continues to be dominant, with contributions from multiple players in every quarter. Charlotte’s top scorers in this game, including Miller, Knueppel, and Sexton, showed they can produce at a high level, but the team needs more consistent support from the full roster to challenge elite opponents. Shooting efficiency and the ability to involve nearly every player made the Warriors nearly impossible to stop. For Hornets fans, the game offered glimpses of promise but also a reminder that improvement and consistency are needed to make a playoff push this season.
