A Record Night in Charlotte: Steph Curry Leads Warriors Past Hornets in 2025 Finale
There is a unique electricity that fills the Spectrum Center whenever Stephen Curry returns to North Carolina. As the "kid from Davidson" who grew up roaming these halls while his father, Dell Curry, played for the original Hornets, Steph is more than just an opponent he is a local icon. On Wednesday afternoon, December 31, 2025, that adoration reached a fever pitch as a franchise-record crowd of 19,685 packed the arena. Curry did not disappoint his hometown fans, scoring 26 points and orchestrating a high octane Warriors offense that finished the year on a high note. While the Hornets’ young core of Brandon Miller (33 points) and LaMelo Ball (27 points) pushed the veterans to the brink, it was Curry’s poise and the Warriors' collective experience that ultimately drew the curtain on 2025 with a "W."
Game Flow: A Battle of Generations
The game began as a veteran's clinic. The Warriors sprinted out to a 69-64 halftime lead, with Curry hitting four triples in the first half alone. By the start of the third quarter, Golden State appeared to be on the verge of a blowout, embarking on a 10-0 run that silenced the record breaking crowd. However, the Hornets representing the NBA's next generation refused to fold. LaMelo Ball caught fire from deep, sparking a blistering 32-12 run for Charlotte. The momentum swung violently, and the Warriors found themselves trailing as the fourth quarter began. It was a test of identity for a Golden State team that has spent much of 2025 searching for consistency on the road.
The Supporting Cast: Butler and Podziemski Shine
While the cameras focused on Curry, the game was decided by the "new look" Warriors' supporting cast. Jimmy Butler, whose integration into the Warriors' system has been a focal point of the 2025-26 season, proved his worth in the closing minutes. Butler finished with 19 points, including two ice cold free throws with 17 seconds remaining to seal the game. Perhaps more impressive was Brandin Podziemski. The young guard matched Butler with 19 points and knocked down five three pointers. His most iconic moment came on a leaning, one footed three pointer as the shot clock expired a shot that mirrored the "Chef Curry" style and effectively broke the Hornets' spirit in the final frame.
Draymond Green: The Defensive Anchor
No Warriors victory in 2025 would be complete without the fingerprints of Draymond Green. Although his stat line was modest, Green provided the game’s most critical play. With one minute left and the Warriors clinging to a narrow lead, Curry missed a deep jumper. In a sea of jerseys, Green rose to provide a crucial tip in, extending the lead to six and ending any hope of a Charlotte comeback.
Reflecting on Curry’s Historic 2025
As the buzzer sounded, Curry took a moment to acknowledge the Charlotte fans. This game was the perfect microcosm of his 2025. Earlier in the year, Curry achieved the unthinkable by becoming the first player in NBA history to reach 4,000 career three pointers. At age 37, he has maintained an elite level of play, averaging nearly 29 points per game throughout the year.
The win moves the Warriors to 18-16 for the season, having won five of their last six games. While they still face challenges in the paint being outscored 56-32 in the interior by Charlotte the Warriors head into 2026 with the momentum of a team that knows how to win "gutsy" road games.