Man, that was something else. If you turned off the TV at halftime thinking the Knicks had this one in the bag, you missed a classic third-quarter avalanche. The Chase Center was absolutely rocking on Thursday night.
The Golden State Warriors final score of 126–113 over the New York Knicks doesn't even tell the full story of how stressful that first half felt for Dubs fans.
Honestly, it looked bleak early on. New York came out swinging, dropping 35 points in the first quarter while Steph Curry was out there throwing up bricks. He missed his first four looks from deep. You could almost feel the collective "uh oh" from the home crowd. But then the second half happened. It was like a switch flipped.
The Numbers Behind the Golden State Warriors Final Score
By the time the final buzzer rang on January 15, 2026, the box score looked like a video game.
Jimmy Butler—who has been a monster lately—basically carried the team on his back while Curry was finding his rhythm. Butler finished with 32 points and eight boards. He’s now hit the 30-point mark in two of his last three games. It’s kinda wild seeing him in a Warriors jersey still, but you can’t argue with the results. He’s the physical edge this team desperately needed.
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Stephen Curry eventually woke up. He finished with 27 points and seven assists, but the real story was the third quarter. He hit a three with about nine-and-a-half minutes left in the third, and that was the spark. From there, the Warriors outscored New York 37–28 in that period alone.
Don't overlook Moses Moody either. The guy was a flame-thrower. He went 7-for-9 from beyond the arc for 21 points. When Moody is hitting like that, the Warriors are basically impossible to guard because you can’t double-team Steph or Jimmy without getting burned. Brandin Podziemski chipped in 19 points too. It was a balanced attack that eventually just wore the Knicks down.
Why the Knicks Crumbled in the Second Half
New York was playing shorthanded, which definitely played a role. No Jalen Brunson. He was out with that sprained right ankle he picked up in Sacramento the night before.
Despite that, Miles McBride and OG Anunoby did their best to keep it competitive, both finishing with 25 points. Karl-Anthony Towns was a beast on the glass, pulling down 20 rebounds to go with his 17 points. But 20 rebounds only go so far when the other team is shooting nearly 50% from the field.
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The Knicks actually led 59–62 at the half. They were scrappy. But Mike Brown—back in the building where he used to be the top assistant—couldn't find an answer for the Warriors’ transition game in the fourth.
A key moment happened midway through the final frame. Curry scored five straight points to push the lead to 107–94. That was basically the dagger. The Knicks looked gassed. Playing on a back-to-back without your superstar point guard is a recipe for a late-game collapse, and that’s exactly what happened.
A Scares and Scuffles
It wasn't all highlights and celebrations, though.
Draymond Green got hit with a Flagrant 1 in the fourth quarter for tripping KAT. It was one of those classic "Draymond moments" where the refs had to go to the monitor. Luckily for the Dubs, it didn't escalate into an ejection.
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The real bummer was Gui Santos. He had to be helped off the floor in the first quarter after a nasty collision with Josh Hart. It’s being called a left ankle sprain. Steve Kerr looked genuinely worried when he ran out to midcourt. Santos didn't come back, and with the way he was limping, he might be out for a few games.
Where the Warriors Go From Here
With this win, Golden State moves to 23–19 on the season. They’re finally starting to look like a coherent unit instead of just a collection of talent. Winning back-to-back games (remember they just beat Portland 119–97 on Tuesday) gives them some serious momentum heading into the weekend.
If you’re tracking the standings, this win was huge for tiebreaker scenarios later in the year. The West is a total bloodbath right now.
What to Watch Next
The Warriors don't have much time to celebrate. They’ve got the Charlotte Hornets coming into town on Saturday night. Charlotte isn't exactly a powerhouse, but with Curry reportedly dealing with a bruised quad—he was apparently in some pain after the Knicks game—the medical staff is going to be busy.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Steph’s quad and Gui Santos’s ankle before Saturday’s 5:30 PM PT tip-off.
- Jimmy Butler’s Usage: If Steph is limited, expect Butler to take on an even larger playmaking role. He’s currently the focal point of the offense when Curry rests.
- The Moody Factor: Moses Moody has earned more minutes. If you’re playing fantasy ball, he’s a must-add while he’s this hot from three.
This win over New York proved that even when the Splash Brother starts cold, this "new look" Warriors squad has enough secondary scoring to survive. The Golden State Warriors final score of 126–113 is a testament to their depth. They aren't just relying on magic from 30 feet out anymore; they’re winning with grit, transition points, and a whole lot of Jimmy Butler.