Andrew Wiggins shined with 27 points as the Golden State Warriors cruised to a 120-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks tonight at Chase Center. Stephen Curry contributed 23 points and eight assists, while Trayce Jackson-Davis posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Warriors seized control early, using a 41-22 first-quarter blitz fueled by Jonathan Kuminga’s key defensive plays and Buddy Hield’s scoring off the bench. By halftime, Golden State led 67-42, with Wiggins capping the dominant half with a buzzer-beating layup. The team’s defense was pivotal, forcing 16 turnovers and converting them into 22 points.
Atlanta’s struggles were evident as they committed 11 turnovers in the first half alone, allowing Golden State to build a lead that proved insurmountable. Jalen Johnson tallied 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Trae Young added 12 points and 11 assists for the Hawks.
Despite a balanced effort, the Hawks’ defensive lapses and inability to match Golden State’s energy led to their undoing. Meanwhile, the Warriors showcased their depth, with Lindy Waters III stepping up to score 10 points in De’Anthony Melton’s absence (out for the season) and Draymond Green filling the stat sheet with nine points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Let’s grade every Warriors player for their play tonight.
Andrew Wiggins: A
Stats: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 2 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 12-17 FG, 3-6 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 30 mins
Andrew Wiggins was the star of the night, delivering a team-high 27 points on 12-17 shooting while adding seven rebounds and four assists. His two blocks highlighted his defensive presence, and his consistency on both ends of the court anchored the Warriors. Wiggins’ assertiveness in attacking the basket and hitting timely shots further boosted Golden State’s momentum.
Stephen Curry: A
Stats: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 0 fouls, 5 turnovers, 7-10 FG, 4-6 3PT FG, 5-5 FT, 30 mins
Curry was as efficient as ever, leading the team with 23 points and dishing out eight assists. Despite committing five turnovers, his stellar shooting (7-10 FG, 4-6 3PT) and leadership were instrumental in setting the tone for the Warriors’ dominant performance. His ability to orchestrate the offense kept Atlanta’s defense off balance throughout the game.
Trayce Jackson-Davis: A
Stats: 14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 6-11 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 22 mins
Jackson-Davis showcased his value with a strong double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds in just 22 minutes. His energy and ability to capitalize on opportunities in the paint were vital in maintaining the Warriors’ control of the game. He also displayed great positioning on the boards, consistently keeping possessions alive for his team.
Draymond Green: B+
Stats: 9 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers, 4-8 FG, 0-4 3PT FG, 1-2 FT, 28 mins
Draymond Green flirted with a triple-double, contributing nine points, nine assists, and seven rebounds while playing his usual disruptive defense. Though his three-point shooting (0-4) remains a concern, his two blocks and leadership were crucial in organizing the Warriors’ defense and offense.
Lindy Waters III: B
Stats: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 4 fouls, 0 turnovers, 4-9 FG, 2-5 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 23 mins
Lindy Waters III stepped up with 10 points and a steal in an extended role, providing solid minutes off the bench. His two three-pointers were timely, helping to stretch the Hawks’ defense and maintain the Warriors’ momentum in Melton’s absence.
Buddy Hield: C+
Stats: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 4-11 FG, 3-9 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 20 mins
Hield chipped in 11 points but struggled with efficiency, shooting 4-11 from the field and 3-9 from beyond the arc. While his spacing was valuable, his turnovers and defensive lapses limited his overall impact.
Jonathan Kuminga: C+
Stats: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 3-9 FG, 1-3 3PT FG, 3-4 FT, 15 mins
Kuminga delivered 10 points and six rebounds while adding two steals and a block in 15 minutes. While his defensive hustle was commendable, his shooting struggles (3-9 FG) hindered his ability to fully capitalize on his opportunities.
Kevon Looney: C
Stats: 2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 1-3 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-3 FT, 13 mins
Kevon Looney managed only two points and five rebounds in 13 minutes, a quieter game by his standards. Despite his usual effort on the boards, he missed all three free throws, limiting his ability to contribute offensively.
Kyle Anderson: C
Stats: 2 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 3 steals, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, 1-6 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 15 mins
Kyle Anderson’s defensive instincts shone with three steals, but his shooting woes (1-6 FG) dragged down his performance. His four assists were a bright spot, showcasing his playmaking ability in a secondary role.
Moses Moody: C
Stats: 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 1-5 FG, 0-3 3PT FG, 1-2 FT, 19 mins
Moody struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just three points on 1-5 shooting in 19 minutes. His effort on the boards was evident, but he needs to regain his shooting consistency to maximize his potential impact.
Brandin Podziemski: C
Stats: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 1-6 FG, 1-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 15 mins
Brandin Podziemski recorded three points, two rebounds, and two assists, but shot only 1-6 from the field. His lone three-pointer showcased his potential, although his performance lacked efficiency and polish and the guard has yet to fully break into the rotation yet.
Gary Payton II: N/A
Stats: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 fouls, 0 turnovers, 3-4 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 6 mins
In just six minutes, Gary Payton II made the most of his limited time, scoring six points on 3-4 shooting. His energy and efficiency were noticeable, even if his brief appearance didn’t allow for a significant overall impact.
Gui Santos: N/A
Stats: 0 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 fouls, 0 turnovers, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 3 mins
Santos played only three minutes and didn’t score, missing both of his shot attempts. While his energy was evident, the limited time on the court made it hard to gauge his overall contribution.