Stephen Curry’s late 3-pointer with 3:45 left on the clock sealed a 126-116 win for the Golden State Warriors over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. The victory was highlighted by Curry’s 23 points, including the clutch shot that put the Warriors ahead for good. Jimmy Butler contributed a double-double with 14 points, nine assists and nine rebounds, keeping the Mavericks on the sidelines.
Game Overview
The Warriors opened the contest with a 0-6 start from beyond the arc, but the first quarter saw a surge from the Dallas side, who were on fire from deep. The game took a dramatic turn when Moses Moody found the net at the 6:05 mark of the opening quarter, giving the Warriors a spark that was amplified by Al Horford’s return from a seven-game absence.
Key Players and Stats
- Stephen Curry – 23 points, including the decisive 3-pointer with 3:45 remaining.
- Jimmy Butler – 14 points, nine assists, nine rebounds.
- Cooper Flagg – 27 points on 13-for-21 shooting, six rebounds, five assists in his Christmas Day debut.
- Brandon Williams – 26 points off the bench.
- Klay Thompson – Returned to face his former Warriors team after missing Tuesday’s home game against the Nuggets with soreness in his left knee. He entered the game for the first time with 5:51 remaining in the opening quarter and received a warm ovation.
- Anthony Davis – Did not return after exiting in the second quarter with groin spasms. He finished with three points, three rebounds and two blocked shots in 11 minutes.
- Draymond Green – Started and contributed seven points and five rebounds while playing in foul trouble.
- Al Horford – Came in at the 5:27 mark of the first quarter, made all four of his 3-pointers and finished with 14 points.
- De’Anthony Melton – 16 points.
- Brandin Podziemski – 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists off the bench.
Notable Moments
- The Warriors’ 0-6 start from three-point range was a rare stumble that the team overcame early.
- Thompson’s return was marked by a warm greeting from Curry, who had sneaked a peek at Thompson’s warm-up before the mid-court encounter.
- Green’s foul trouble came two days after a heated exchange with coach Steve Kerr during a third-quarter timeout against Orlando, after which both apologized.
- Davis’s exit left the Mavericks with a key player out for the remainder of the game.
Game Flow and Quarters
The first quarter saw the Warriors lead 40-28, largely thanks to Horford’s efficient shooting from deep. The Mavericks had a strong start, but the Warriors’ resilience in the second and third quarters pulled them ahead. The final score of 126-116 reflected the Warriors’ ability to capitalize on early setbacks and maintain momentum.
Upcoming Games
The Mavericks will travel to Sacramento on Saturday, while the Warriors will hit the road to face Toronto on Sunday.
Key Takeaways
- Curry’s late 3-pointer sealed the win.
- Butler’s double-double kept the Mavericks in the game.
- Thompson’s return was a highlight of the night.
The Warriors’ victory showcases their depth and resilience, setting the stage for their upcoming road trip to Toronto.
