Draymond Green Delivers Season-Best Performance as Warriors Rally to Defeat Hornets
The Golden State Warriors showcased their resilience on Wednesday night, battling back from a fourth-quarter deficit to secure a 132-125 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. This win improved the Warriors’ record to 18-16, while the Hornets fell to 11-22. Leading the scoring for Charlotte was Brandon Miller, who erupted for a season-high 33 points. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 26 points, while Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski each contributed 19. Despite committing 19 turnovers, the Warriors’ sharpshooting from beyond the arc—24 of 49—was pivotal in their comeback.
Green Shines in a Critical Moment
For weeks, Draymond Green has faced scrutiny regarding his performance, with many noting a troubling decline in his play. However, the veteran forward ignited a spark on Wednesday, delivering one of his best games of the season. Green finished with 10 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds, and one steal, earning a game-high plus-18 rating. Key contributions included a timely three-pointer and a crucial tip-in late in the fourth quarter, which helped the Warriors maintain their lead.
While Green had four turnovers—some of which were puzzling—he also made several defensive plays that were integral to the Warriors’ success. His ability to disrupt Hornets’ layup attempts and secure loose balls for teammates illustrated a glimpse of the impact he can have on both ends of the court. If Green can replicate this level of play consistently and the Warriors can stay healthy, they are poised to climb the Western Conference standings.
Closing Lineup Proves Effective Again
In a strategic move, the Warriors utilized a closing lineup featuring Curry, De’Anthony Melton, Will Richard, Jimmy Butler, and Green during crucial moments against the Nets. That group entered the game with a six-point lead and effectively expanded it with a 13-6 run to finish strong. On Wednesday, they took the court with a five-point advantage and managed to outscore the Hornets by two in the closing stretch, sealing the victory.
Two noteworthy moments defined this lineup’s effectiveness. First, Richard hit a critical corner three-pointer—an opportunity the Warriors have missed too often in clutch situations. Currently, Richard is the only player, aside from Curry, who instills confidence when shooting from that spot. Additionally, Melton’s defensive prowess shone through as he secured a vital steal, highlighting his growing importance in late-game scenarios. With the Warriors transitioning to a smaller lineup, generating turnovers and efficient scoring has become essential. After a rocky start to the season in close games, having won their last two, this closing lineup deserves more opportunities moving forward.
Santos Continues to Earn Trust
Gui Santos has been making waves lately, displaying a positive impact on the court. After a stretch of four consecutive games with a positive plus/minus rating, he found himself inexplicably sidelined for two games. However, he returned against the Nets with a solid plus-10 rating, prompting coach Steve Kerr to give him another shot on Wednesday.
In just 17 minutes of play, Santos delivered an impressive performance, scoring 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting (including 3-of-4 from three), alongside five rebounds, two assists, one block, and no turnovers, all while achieving a plus-15 rating. This marks six straight games with a positive plus/minus for Santos, suggesting he may be finding his footing. Given his recent form, Kerr should consider increasing his minutes to around 20 per game in the upcoming weeks, as his contributions could be vital for the Warriors’ success.
