Stephen Curry and Warriors Survive Thriller in Record-Breaking Charlotte Homecoming 132-125

There is a specific kind of electricity that hums through the Spectrum Center when Stephen Curry and the Warriors come to town. It’s a conflict of interest for the locals—a blend of adoration for the kid who grew up shooting on these rims and the obligation to root for the home team. On Wednesday afternoon, that energy was palpable as a franchise-record crowd of 19,685 packed the arena to watch the Golden State Warriors hold off a furious Hornets rally for a 132-125 victory.

For Curry, these trips are never just another spot on the schedule. The 37-year-old superstar, playing in his 17th season, navigated the emotional currents with his signature poise, dropping 26 points and hitting four 3-pointers. But this wasn’t just the Steph Show. It was a testament to a Warriors team that, even in 2025, knows how to manufacture wins when the momentum shifts violently against them.

Warriors Veteran Composure vs. Charlotte’s Youth

The game narrative felt like a passing of the torch that the Warriors simply refused to hand over. Golden State looked ready to turn the game into a laugher early in the third quarter, ripping off a 10-0 run that threatened to bury the home team. But the Hornets, led by the explosive tandem of Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball, had other plans.

Charlotte responded with a blistering 32-12 run that turned the comfortable Warriors’ lead into a deficit heading into the final frame. Miller was sensational, pouring in a game-high 33 points, while Ball added 27, including seven triples. They played with the frantic, fearless energy of youth, briefly overwhelming Golden State’s defensive rotations.

However, the difference in the game came down to execution in the clutch. While Charlotte provided the highlights, the Warriors provided the finishing touches.

Podziemski and Butler Step Up in Crunch Time

While the cameras followed Curry, it was the supporting cast that stabilized the ship. Brandin Podziemski, continuing his ascent as a key piece of the Warriors’ future, was cold-blooded in the fourth quarter. He finished with 19 points and knocked down five 3-pointers, none bigger than a leaning, one-footed heave to beat the shot clock that sucked the air out of the building.

Then there was Jimmy Butler. The fit between Butler and the Warriors‘ system has been a storyline all season, but games like this showcase why the partnership works. Butler matched Podziemski with 19 points, but his impact went beyond the box score. With 17 seconds left and the game hanging in the balance, Butler stepped to the line and calmly sank two free throws to seal the win. It was the kind of gritty, unbothered production Golden State needed on a night where they were outscored 56-32 in the paint.

Draymond Green Makes the Winning Plays

You cannot discuss a gritty Warriors win without mentioning Draymond Green. The box score might look modest, but Green’s fingerprints were all over the final minute. With the Warriors clinging to a precarious lead, Curry missed a deep jumper. In the ensuing scramble, it was Green who tipped the ball in, extending the lead to six and effectively breaking Charlotte’s back.

It was a reminder that for all the changes the league sees, the core DNA of this team remains intact. They find ways to win.

Looking Ahead for Golden State

The victory moves the Warriors to 18-16, continuing a solid stretch where they have won five of their last six games. It wasn’t perfect—giving up 125 points and losing the interior battle are issues head coach Steve Kerr will surely address in the film room—but road wins in the NBA are precious currency, regardless of how they look.

As Curry walked off the floor, acknowledging the crowd that cheered him as one of their own, the sentiment was clear. The Hornets are coming, and their young stars are ready to make noise. But on this New Year’s Eve, the Warriors proved they aren’t done making noise of their own just yet.

Golden State now heads home to host the Thunder on Friday night, looking to carry this momentum into the new year.