Warriors Triumph Over Hornets 132-125 as Curry Lights Up Charlotte on New Year’s Eve

1 January 2026 Sports Updates

Warriors Close 2025 with Victory in Charlotte

The Warriors ended 2025 on a high note, defeating the Hornets 132-125 in Charlotte on New Year’s Eve. This matchup held special significance as it featured Stephen Curry’s annual homecoming game in Charlotte, where the Golden State Warriors defeated the Hornets in front of 19,685, the largest crowd ever at the Spectrum Center.

Curry Leads Warriors Offensive Charge

Curry electrified his hometown fans with five 3-pointers and 26 points in a 132-125 win over the Charlotte Hornets, Golden State’s fifth in its last six games. The Warriors’ superstar, who grew up in Charlotte and played college basketball at nearby Davidson, delivered another memorable performance in front of his home crowd. Brandon Podziemski and Jimmy Butler each had 19 points for the Warriors, whilst Gui Santos added 13 points off the bench, hitting three 3s for Golden State, which went 24 of 49 from beyond the arc.

Hornets Fight Back Despite Missing Key Players

Despite the loss, Charlotte showed resilience throughout the contest. Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 33 points, while LaMelo Ball finished with 27, going 7 of 10 from 3-point range, and rookie Kon Knueppel added 20 points in his return from a one-game absence because of a sprained ankle. The Hornets faced adversity as Charlotte played without starters Miles Bridges and Ryan Kalkbrenner because of injuries. Charlotte quickly turned the tables with Ball hitting three 3s, helping the Hornets put together a 32-12 run to take the lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Warriors Seal Victory in Final Quarter

Golden State maintained composure when it mattered most. The momentum swung back to the Warriors after Podziemski knocked down two 3s to open the fourth, and the Warriors held the lead throughout the rest of the fourth quarter with Draymond Green’s tip-in off a Curry miss from deep with 1 minute remaining pushing the lead to six. This victory improves Golden State’s position as they continue their push for playoff positioning in a competitive Western Conference.