If you just scrolled through your notifications looking for what was the score of the warriors game tonight, you probably did a double-take at the final tally. 136-116. The Golden State Warriors absolutely dismantled the Charlotte Hornets at Chase Center, and they did it in a way that felt like a throwback to the "Strength in Numbers" era.
It wasn't just a win. It was a statement.
Honestly, the energy in the building was electric from the jump. Even with Jimmy Butler sidelined for personal reasons, the Warriors didn't miss a beat. They played fast, they shared the rock, and they shot the lights out.
The Numbers Behind the Warriors vs Hornets Score
So, the final score sits at 136-116. But how did we get there?
Golden State basically turned the game into a long-distance shooting contest. They drained 23 three-pointers on 52 attempts. That is a staggering 44.2%. When a team is hitting from deep like that, there isn't much an opponent can do besides hope for a cold streak that never came.
Interestingly, the scoring wasn't top-heavy. De'Anthony Melton led the charge with 24 points, showing exactly why the front office was so high on him this past offseason. Draymond Green turned back the clock too, chipping in 20 points of his own.
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The Hornets weren't exactly silent. Brandon Miller put up a game-high 28 points, and rookie Kon Knueppel was a problem, dropping 24 points and grabbing 11 boards. They actually cut the lead to just three points midway through the third quarter. But then? The Warriors went on a soul-crushing 20-5 run.
Why This Game Was Historical
We saw something tonight that doesn't happen often in the NBA. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Warriors have now had at least 10 different players make a three-pointer in three consecutive games. That’s a new league record.
Think about that. It means the bench is just as dangerous as the starters.
- De'Anthony Melton: 24 points (Season high)
- Draymond Green: 20 points
- Brandin Podziemski: 16 points
- Stephen Curry: 14 points
- Buddy Hield: 14 points
Steph actually had a "quiet" night by his standards, going 0-for-2 from deep in the first half and finishing with 14 points. But when your team scores 136, you don't need your superstar to drop 50. The ball movement was just that good.
Breaking Down the Third Quarter Surge
The game felt like it might slip away for a second. Charlotte came out of the locker room swinging in the second half.
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Knueppel hit a layup that made it 82-79. You could feel a little bit of tension in the crowd. But Buddy Hield—doing exactly what Buddy Hield does—hit a massive corner three that capped off a run and pushed the lead back to 102-84.
That was the dagger.
The Warriors' depth is their superpower right now. Their reserves outscored their starters in the first half 35-34. That kind of balance makes them incredibly difficult to scout. If you double Steph, Podziemski or Melton will hurt you. If you stay home on the shooters, Draymond finds a lane.
What This Means for the Standings
With this victory, the Warriors have now won three straight. They’ve moved to 5-1 on this current eight-game homestand.
While the Western Conference remains a literal bloodbath, Golden State is starting to look like a team that can actually contend. They aren't just relying on "Steph Magic" anymore. They have a defensive identity, and their shooting gravity is spread across the entire roster.
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The Hornets, on the other hand, fall further down the Eastern Conference ladder. They have talent, specifically Miller and LaMelo Ball (who had 15 tonight), but they couldn't rotate fast enough to keep up with the Warriors' perimeter passing.
If you're tracking the playoff race, keep an eye on these next two games at Chase Center. If the Warriors can sweep the rest of this homestand, they’ll have the momentum they need heading into the All-Star break.
For fans who missed the broadcast, the biggest takeaway from what was the score of the warriors game tonight isn't just the 20-point margin. It's the fact that 10 different players made a three-pointer. This team is deep, they are healthy, and they are playing some of the most unselfish basketball we've seen in San Francisco in years.
Moving forward, keep a close watch on the injury report regarding Jimmy Butler. His absence allowed rookie Will Richard to get the start tonight, and while Richard only scored a few, his defensive presence was felt. If the Warriors can integrate Butler back into this high-octane offense without losing their bench rhythm, the rest of the league should be very worried.
Watch the highlights if you can, especially that 62-foot buzzer-beater by Brandon Miller at the end of the second quarter. It was the only thing that went right for Charlotte all night.
For those looking to bet or track fantasy stats, the over/under for this game was 237.5. With a final total of 252, the "over" cleared easily, thanks mostly to that explosive third quarter. Keep an eye on De'Anthony Melton's usage rates in the coming week; he is clearly becoming a focal point of the second unit.