Golden State stays hot with win over Knicks

SAN FRANCISCO– Jimmy Butler described it perfectly state of Golden State Warriors in a word before just one game. “Mediocre,” he said, deadpan as he fully embraced their game and their record.

But after their 10th win in 14 games in their reckless 126-113 victory over the New York Knicks, the Warriors are starting to shed that mediocre assessment, an assessment that has been accurate for most of this season.

Butler led the way with 32 points and 8 rebounds, while Stephen Curry scored 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Moses Moody added an efficient 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting from deep, and Brandin Podziemski added 19 points off the bench on 8-of-9 shooting from the floor.

It was all gas from Golden State after trailing by 17 in the first quarter, as Butler and the second unit took control of this game and never looked back.

“That was a key part of the game,” Steve Kerr said after the game. “It felt completely different. They came in and turned up the heat defensively, got some turnovers, some transition hoops. And Jimmy — he was incredible tonight. He’s so good. He’s so dominant in a very subtle way. You know, he just controls the game and never turns it over. He creates shots for other people.”

While the Knicks struggled, without Jalen Brunson, with Karl-Anthony Towns pounding them for 17 points and 20 rebounds, Golden State never let go. Moody hit big three after big three. Podziemski squeezed heavy basket after heavy basket. And Curry and Butler led them to the finish line.

Steph Curry on Warriors mediocrity

It was the kind of victory that has eluded the Warriors this season; the kind that makes you think they might start putting them together. For Curry, he understands they are a long way. But he likes where the Warriors are, four games over .500 and 1.5 games back of the seventh seed.

“Like coach Bob McKillop always said, peacock today, feather duster tomorrow,” Curry said. “I like the vibe. I like the idea of how we’re playing. And we’ve had a couple of, you know, probably three tough losses in the last few weeks. But the resilience that we’re showing. And if we can keep doing that and try to get to the All-Star break with more of the same, we should be in good shape.”

The resilience and consistency with which Golden State has been playing lately has a lot to do with a stable rotation. After shuffling the starting lineup and switching minutes left and right, Kerr committed to a rotation to create some consistency and chemistry. He started De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford, rejuvenated Podziemski, and comfortably slotted everyone into roles.

“It’s mostly just conversations we’ve had around rotations and knowing who you’re playing out there,” Curry said of getting the Warriors back to an elite level.

“For any guy to have that comfort level, I know some of you guys know where my shots are coming from. I kind of know some of the favorite actions of the game that we run — the chemistry starts to build that way. So that’s probably the biggest help. Just figure out what worked, what combinations worked and kind of stick with it so that their role really hits the spot.”

The Warriors confirm that Kuminga’s situation will not be a distraction

It was also the kind of win that boosts their attitude Jonathan Upsituation it will not become a nuisance.

Kerr, Curry, Green and Butler made it clear they don’t believe the outside noise surrounding Cummings and his trade situation won’t be a distraction, even with all those reports out in the open. Wins like these lend credence to statements like these.

And wins like this also underscore why the Warriors need to turn the $22.5 million hole burning in their payroll into something playable. When everything is firing on all cylinders, the Warriors look like they have a chance against any team.

Jimmy Butler on how the game played out and the state of the Warriors right now after describing the team as mediocre:
“I really think we’re turning this thing around. We’re figuring this thing out.”
Asked how he and the 2nd unit got them back into the game. pic.twitter.com/k2iPfCcJnV
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) January 16, 2026