Stephen Curry Scores 26 As Golden State Warriors Beat Charlotte Hornets 132-125 | Nba News

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) vies for the ball with Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel. (AP Photo)

Stephen Curry scored 26 points in his annual homecoming game in Charlotte, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 132-125 victory over the Hornets on Wednesday. The game was witnessed by 19,685 fans, the largest crowd ever at the Spectrum Center.

Brandon Podziemski and Jimmy Butler each contributed 19 points for the Warriors, who have now won five of their last six games. Gui Santos came off the bench to add 13 points, including three 3-pointers, as Golden State made 24 of 49 attempts from beyond the arc.

Charlotte’s Brandon Miller led all scorers with 33 points, while LaMelo Ball added 27 points, hitting 7 of 10 from three-point range. Rookie Kon Knueppel, returning from a one-game absence due to a sprained ankle, chipped in 20 points.

The Hornets were without starters Miles Bridges and Ryan Kalkbrenner, both sidelined by injuries.

The Warriors held a 69-64 lead at halftime, thanks in part to four 3-pointers and 15 points from Curry, who grew up in Charlotte and played college basketball at nearby Davidson. Golden State seemed poised to pull away after beginning the third quarter with a 10-0 run. However, Charlotte responded with a 32-12 run, led by Ball’s three 3-pointers, to take the lead into the fourth quarter.

The Warriors regained momentum in the fourth quarter, with Podziemski hitting two 3-pointers to start the period. Golden State maintained their lead through the final quarter, with Draymond Green’s tip-in off a Curry miss from deep extending the lead to six points with one minute remaining. Butler sealed the win by making two free throws with 17 seconds left.

Podziemski finished the game 5 of 7 from 3-point range, including a leaning 3-pointer off one foot to beat the shot clock.

Despite outscoring the Warriors 56-32 in the paint, the Hornets were unable to secure the victory.

First Published:

January 01, 2026, 08:57 IST