Warriors Defense Leads the Way in Win Over Hornets

24 Feb 2024

Warriors.com

The Warriors held Charlotte to just 29 points in the first half in their 97-84 victory over the Hornets at Chase Center on Friday. The Dubs had scored 125 or more points in four straight games but won Friday's contest with their defensive tenacity, with their 84 points allowed being a season-best mark. They have now won 10 of their last 12 games and snapped the Hornets' four-game winning streak.

Warriors game - Figure 1 — Photo Warriors.com

Team Leaders

GSW

PointsReboundsAssistsCurry - 15Green - 13Kuminga - 6Wiggins - 14Jackson-Davis - 8Podziemski - 6Podziemski/Thompson - 13Kuminga - 7Curry - 5

CHA

PointsReboundsAssistsBridges - 19Richards - 13Miller - 5Miller - 11Bridges - 11Bridges/Martin - 3Richards - 11Mann - 4Curry/Micic - 3

FIRST-HALF CLAMPSThe Warriors allowed just 29 points in the first half, the fewest points allowed in an NBA half this season. They surrendered just 15 points in the first quarter and 14 points in the second quarter, marking their opponents' two lowest-scoring quarters this season.

The Warriors' previous opponent season-low for points in a half was 44 points, meaning the Hornets' highest-scoring quarter in the first half (15) was the margin between first (29) and second (44) place. For additional context, the Hornets averaged 25.9 points per game in the first quarter headed into Friday's game, meaning their halftime total was about three points higher than their first quarter average.

STEPHEN MOVES TO 10-4 AGAINST HIS BROTHERStephen Curry's brother (Seth) and father (Dell) were in town for Friday's game, with Seth playing for the Hornets, donning the same number his father wore for the franchise (30) and Dell being the color commentator for the Hornets broadcast. Stephen was the highest-scoring Curry, finishing with 15 points and moving to 10-4 head-to-head against his younger brother.

Warriors game - Figure 2 — Photo Warriors.com

Postgame Warriors Talks

Postgame Warriors Talk: Draymond Green - 2/23/24

Postgame Warriors Talk: Gary Payton II - 2/23/24

Postgame Warriors Talk: Brandin Podziemski - 2/23/24

PODZIEMSKI'S ANKLE BREAKERBrandin Podziemski caught Charolette's Vasilije Micic slipping with an ankle-breaking crossover and knocked down the mid-range jumper to cap the third quarter. The highlight-reel play extended the Warriors' lead to 21 points.

Podziemski tallied 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists, outscoring his rising stars teammate and the second pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, Brandon Miller (11 points).

Brandin Podziemski's Ankle Breaker

UP NEXT The Warriors remain at Chase Center, facing the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 4 p.m. (ESPN).

MORE NOTABLES:

The Warriors have won 10 of their last 12 games overall (including the last three consecutively) and four of their last five home contests.Golden State improved to 16-14 at home and 29-26 overall. Golden State leads Charlotte in the team’s season series 1-0… The Warriors and Hornets face for the second and final time on 3/29 at CHA.The Warriors have won eight of their last 10 home games vs. the Hornets. The Warriors held the Hornets to an opponent-season low 84 points (prev. 95, 10/29 at HOU)… Golden State improved to 3-0 when holding opponents under 100 points this season.Golden State held Charlotte to an opponent-season low 29 first-half points, the fewest points an opponent has scored in any half this season (prev. 44 points in the second half, 1/24 vs. ATL).Prior to tonight, the last time the Warriors held an opponent to fewer than 30 points in any half was 29 points on 12/28/21 vs. DEN… The last time they held an opponent to fewer than 30 points in a first half was 1/19/15, 28 points vs. DEN. The Warriors held the Hornets to an opponent-season low 14 second quarter points (prev. 16, twice), the fewest an opponent has scored in any quarter this season… Golden State also held Charlotte to an opponent-season low 15 first-quarter points (prev. 19 first-quarter points, 12/8 at OKC). Golden State held Charlotte to an opponent-season low 36.4% from the field (prev. 37.2%, 1/15 at MEM). Golden State scored a season-low 97 points (prev. 101, 11/14 vs. MIN), marking the first time this season they have scored fewer than 100 points… Indiana is now the only team this season who has scored 100-plus points in every game. Tonight marked the conclusion of the Warriors’ 12th back-to-back set of the season… Golden State will play a league-high 17 back-to-backs this season… The Warriors improved to 8-4 in the second game of back-to-backs. The Warriors bench outscored the opponent reserves for the 39th time this season (44-26 tonight). The Warriors attempted a season-low-tying 10 free throws (1/15 at MEM). Tonight marked Golden State’s 507th consecutive sellout, the longest streak in franchise history. Stephen Curry (23,160) passed Elgin Baylor (23,149) for 33rd on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Draymond Green has now tallied double-figure rebounds in seven games this season, including in three of the last five games… His 13 rebounds tonight were one shy of his season-high mark (14, 1/27 vs. LAL).Green recorded two blocks, giving him 800 for his career and became the third player in franchise history to reach the 800-block milestone (Adonal Foyle and Joe Barry Carroll).Brandin Podziemski posted his 15th game this season of at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists, the most such games by any rookie.Jonathan Kuminga recorded a career-high-tying six assists (fifth time), and a career-high-tying three blocks (done twice).His career-long double-figure scoring streak ended tonight at 34 games. Kevon Looney played in his 248th consecutive regular season game and 283rd consecutive game with regular season and playoffs combined, both the second-longest active streaks in the NBA.Andrew Wiggins recorded his eighth-straight game of double-figure scoring. Gary Payton ll tallied his fifth game of double-figure scoring on the season.

Warriors game - Figure 3 — Photo Warriors.com