If you turned off the TV thinking the Golden State Warriors were in for a long night against the Charlotte Hornets, you've missed one of the most explosive offensive displays of the season. Honestly, the Dubs didn't just win; they absolutely dismantled Charlotte. By the time the final buzzer rang at Chase Center, the scoreboard read 136-116. It was a statement win that pushed their winning streak to three and proved this roster is way deeper than people give them credit for.
Who won the Warriors game last nite?
The Golden State Warriors took home the victory in a high-scoring 136-116 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
It wasn't just about the win, though. It was how they did it.
Steph Curry didn't even have to be "Steph Curry" for them to blow the doors off the building. He finished with a modest 14 points, going 2-for-8 from deep. Usually, when Curry struggles from three, the Warriors are in deep trouble. Not last night. This time, the "Others" stepped up in a way that should probably terrify the rest of the Western Conference.
The De'Anthony Melton Show
If you haven't been paying attention to De'Anthony Melton lately, you're doing it wrong. Coming off the bench, he was basically a flamethrower.
Melton led the team with 24 points, hitting three triples and going a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe. He was the engine behind that massive second-half push. He has this knack for being exactly where the ball needs to be, and last night, it felt like he couldn't miss.
Breaking down the 80-point third quarter madness
The third quarter was basically a video game. I'm not kidding. Both teams combined for 80 points in those 12 minutes.
Charlotte actually made it interesting for a second. They cut the lead to 82-79 thanks to a layup by Kon Knueppel, who, by the way, looks like a serious problem for defenses. But then the Warriors just... flipped a switch. They went on a 20-5 run. Buddy Hield hit a dagger from the corner to make it 102-84, and that was pretty much curtains for the Hornets.
- Warriors 3Q Points: 43
- Hornets 3Q Points: 37
- Total Madness: 80
Seeing that much scoring in one quarter is rare, even in today's NBA. It was track-meet basketball at its finest.
Draymond Green found his jumper (Seriously)
Draymond Green scoring 20 points feels like a glitch in the matrix sometimes. But he was aggressive from the jump. He knocked down four 3-pointers on eight attempts.
When Draymond is hitting shots, the Warriors' offense becomes impossible to guard. It forces the opposing big man—in this case, Ryan Kalkbrenner—to step out to the perimeter, which opens up those back-door cuts that Steve Kerr loves so much. Draymond also chipped in 6 assists because, well, he’s Draymond.
The Brandin Podziemski factor
Brandin Podziemski is slowly becoming the glue that holds this rotation together. He had 16 points and hit a massive 3-pointer right before the halftime buzzer to give the Warriors a 15-point cushion.
Even though Brandon Miller answered with a 62-footer at the horn—which was honestly the highlight of the night for Charlotte—Podz's energy was infectious. He’s basically a younger, more versatile version of what the Warriors have always looked for in a secondary playmaker.
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Why this win matters for the standings
The Warriors moved to 24-19 with this win. They are currently sitting at the 8th spot in the Western Conference.
It’s a crowded race. The West is a bloodbath this year. OKC is still at the top, but the Warriors are only a few games back from home-court playoff seeding. The fact that they are 5-1 on this current eight-game homestand is huge. They’re protecting Chase Center, which is what championship-caliber teams have to do.
Key stats from the box score
Let's look at the numbers that actually determined who won the Warriors game last nite.
The Warriors hit 23 three-pointers. That is an absurd number. Ten different players made at least one shot from beyond the arc. When you have ten guys hitting threes, you aren't going to lose many games.
Charlotte, to their credit, didn't play "bad." Brandon Miller was incredible, dropping a game-high 28 points. Kon Knueppel added 24 of his own. But their defense just couldn't rotate fast enough to keep up with the Warriors' ball movement. Golden State finished with 27 assists, and it felt like every pass was leading to an open look.
Warriors role player contributions:
- Will Richard: 11 points (Starting for Jimmy Butler)
- Moses Moody: 12 points on 4-of-6 from three
- Buddy Hield: 14 points, including the 3 that broke Charlotte's spirit
- Al Horford: 11 points and 2 blocks (The vet presence is still there)
What happened to Jimmy Butler?
You might have noticed Jimmy Butler wasn't in the lineup. He missed the game due to personal reasons. Will Richard got the start in his place and did a solid job, but the Warriors are obviously a different beast when "Playoff Jimmy" is active.
The team hasn't given a specific timeline for his return, but considering they just dropped 136 points without him, they probably aren't in a massive rush to force him back before he's ready.
Final thoughts on the Warriors victory
If you were wondering who won the warriors game last nite, it was a Golden State team that looks like it's finally finding its identity. They aren't just a "Steph and pray" team anymore. They are a "move the ball and find the hot hand" team.
Next up, the Warriors continue their homestand. If they keep shooting 44% from deep as a team, they're going to be a very tough out for anyone coming into San Francisco.
Actionable Insights for Warriors Fans:
- Keep an eye on De'Anthony Melton's minutes; he's becoming a primary scoring option for the second unit.
- Watch the injury report for Jimmy Butler’s status before the next game, as it affects the defensive rotations.
- Monitor the 3-point volume; the Warriors are currently 5-0 this season when they make 20 or more threes.