The Warriors were able to manhandle the Bulls in the second half thanks to a combined 59 points from Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
Stephen Curry erupted for 34 points, hitting eight 3-pointers to tie his season high, while Jimmy Butler added 25 points in his Golden State Warriors debut as they stormed back to defeat the Chicago Bulls 132-111 on Saturday night. Curry dazzled in the third quarter, scoring 24 points and making five 3-pointers, as the Warriors erased a 24-point deficit to seize control of the game.
Butler, acquired at the trade deadline from Miami, made an immediate impact in his first game for Golden State, sinking 11 of 13 free throws, dishing out four assists, and energizing his new team with his physical presence.
Quinten Post chipped in 18 points, and Brandin Podziemski added 16 points and seven assists for the Warriors, who shot 19 of 48 from beyond the arc, including 11 of 23 in a dominant second half. After trailing 83-59 in the third quarter, Curry led the Warriors on an electrifying run, capped by a 16-1 burst that extended into the fourth quarter.
Butler’s early fourth-quarter flurry, highlighted by a three-point play off an alley-oop dunk, set the tone for Golden State’s strong finish. The win marked a promising start for Butler and showcased the Warriors’ resilience as they adapted to their new-look roster. Let’s provide a grade for every Warriors player.
Stephen Curry: A+
Stats: 34 PTS, 4 REB (2 OREB, 2 DREB), 6 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 1 PF, 10-19 FG, 8-16 3PT, 6-8 FT, +23, 34 MIN
Curry delivered a masterclass performance, erupting for 34 points, including a dazzling 24-point third quarter where he single-handedly erased a 24-point deficit. His shooting was electric, hitting eight 3-pointers on 50% efficiency from beyond the arc. Beyond scoring, Curry added six assists and anchored the Warriors’ offensive explosion in the second half. His +23 plus/minus highlighted his game-changing impact, as he continued to prove why he’s one of the most dangerous players in the league.
Jimmy Butler: B+
Stats: 25 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 7-12 FG, 0-1 3PT, 11-13 FT, +16, 29 MIN
In his Warriors debut, Butler wasted no time making his presence felt, scoring 25 points on efficient shooting while also sinking 11 of 13 free throws. He brought physicality and composure to Golden State, adding four assists, a steal, and a block in 29 minutes. His three-point play in the fourth quarter off an alley-oop dunk was a momentum-sealing moment. While Butler’s long-range shooting wasn’t a factor, his +16 plus/minus reflected his immediate value to his new team.
Quinten Post: B+
Stats: 18 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 7-10 FG, 4-7 3PT, 0-0 FT, +11, 20 MIN
Post provided a scoring spark off the bench with 18 points, hitting four of his seven 3-point attempts. His shooting efficiency (7-for-10 FG) was vital in helping the Warriors stay within striking distance during the first half. Although his rebounding and playmaking were modest, his +11 plus/minus underscored his solid two-way contribution in just 20 minutes.
Brandin Podziemski: B+
Stats: 16 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 7 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 7-11 FG, 2-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +26, 29 MIN
Podziemski was a jack-of-all-trades, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. His efficient shooting (7-for-11 FG) and ability to find teammates helped maintain the Warriors’ flow on offense. Podziemski also brought energy on defense, reflected in his +26 plus/minus, the highest of any Warrior. He continues to develop into a reliable playmaker in Golden State’s system.
Buddy Hield: B-
Stats: 14 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 5-13 FG, 4-9 3PT, 0-0 FT, +6, 28 MIN
Hield played a solid complementary role, scoring 14 points while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out three assists. He shot 4-for-9 from beyond the arc, keeping the floor spaced for Curry and Butler. While his overall shooting was a bit streaky (5-for-13 FG), Hield’s two steals highlighted his defensive activity, and his +6 plus/minus reflected his steady contributions.
Gui Santos: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 8 REB (4 OREB, 4 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 5 PF, 2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, +5, 15 MIN
Santos made the most of his limited minutes, scoring seven points and grabbing eight rebounds. His hustle on the boards, including four offensive rebounds, stood out, and he made efficient use of his opportunities (2-for-3 FG, 2-for-2 FT). However, his five fouls in just 15 minutes limited his ability to stay on the court and make a larger impact.
Draymond Green: C+
Stats: 6 PTS, 4 REB (2 OREB, 2 DREB), 7 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 4 TO, 4 PF, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-4 FT, +27, 32 MIN
Green showcased his playmaking and defensive versatility, finishing with six points, four rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks. Despite these contributions, his four turnovers and four fouls were problematic, and his limited scoring (1-for-2 FG) left much of the offensive burden on others. Still, his +27 plus/minus demonstrated his value in orchestrating the Warriors’ comeback.
Moses Moody: C
Stats: 4 PTS, 0 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 4 PF, 2-11 FG, 0-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +9, 22 MIN
Moody struggled offensively, scoring just four points on a rough 2-for-11 shooting night, including 0-for-5 from deep. While he contributed two assists and avoided turnovers, his inability to hit shots hindered the Warriors during stretches of the game. Despite his shooting woes, his +9 plus/minus reflected the Warriors’ strong team effort while he was on the floor.
Kevon Looney: C
Stats: 2 PTS, 7 REB (3 OREB, 4 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 11 MIN
Looney was a quiet presence in 11 minutes, contributing two points and seven rebounds. His rebounding, particularly three offensive boards, was valuable, but his limited offensive role and minimal impact elsewhere kept his contributions modest. His +2 plus/minus reflects his steady but unspectacular play.
Jackson Rowe: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 4 MIN
Rowe saw only four minutes of action, scoring two points on one field goal while adding a rebound and an assist. His limited time on the court left little room to assess his performance meaningfully, though he provided some energy in his brief stint.
Trayce Jackson-Davis: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 4 MIN
Jackson-Davis played just four minutes, contributing two points, three rebounds, and two blocks. While his defensive presence was notable in his short time on the court, his limited minutes prevent a full evaluation of his impact.
Gary Payton II: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -8, 9 MIN
Payton scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in nine minutes. His defensive energy was present, but he didn’t significantly impact the game in his limited time, finishing with a -8 plus/minus.
Pat Spencer: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 4 MIN
Spencer logged four minutes, registering one assist and missing his only field goal attempt. His time on the court was too brief to make a substantial impression.
