• Eddie Bitar
• Updated:
  Feb 14, 2025
  Original:
  Feb 13, 2025

Stephen Curry scored 27 points and sparked a decisive late run as the Golden State Warriors held off the Houston Rockets for a 105-98 victory on Thursday night. Golden State, which led by as many as 24, saw its advantage dwindle to two points in the fourth quarter before Curry and Jimmy Butler stepped up.

Curry drilled a dazzling 3-pointer over Jeff Green to cap an 11-2 Warriors run, and Butler followed with an emphatic two-handed dunk that brought Golden State’s bench to its feet, sealing the game with about two minutes remaining.

Butler, who continues to shine in his early games with the Warriors, added 19 points, narrowly missing his fourth straight 20-point performance since joining the team in a trade from Miami. Golden State’s defense also stepped up when needed, stifling Houston’s reserves after they had keyed a 16-6 surge to cut the lead to 88-86 early in the fourth quarter. Despite the Rockets’ late push, the Warriors maintained their composure, improving their ability to close out tight games.

While Houston struggled, benching starters Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Dillon Brooks in the fourth quarter, the Warriors showed why their veteran experience matters. Golden State heads into the All-Star break with momentum, confident that Butler will continue to mesh with his new teammates as they look to solidify their standing in the Western Conference. Let’s provide a grade for every Warriors player for his performance.

Stephen Curry: A

Stats: 27 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 7-17 FG, 5-13 3PT, 8-9 FT, +7, 35 MIN

Curry delivered when it mattered most, scoring a game-high 27 points, including a clutch three-pointer in the closing minutes to cap an 11-2 run that sealed the game. While his shooting from the field (7-of-17) and three-point range (5-of-13) wasn’t elite by his standards, Curry’s ability to get to the free-throw line and convert (8-of-9) highlighted his veteran poise. His lone turnover in 35 minutes reflected his efficient floor management, making him the unquestionable leader of this victory.

Brandin Podziemski: B+

Stats: 18 PTS, 5 REB (0 OREB, 5 DREB), 4 AST, 4 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 7-17 FG, 2-7 3PT, 2-2 FT, +1, 39 MIN

Podziemski showcased his versatility and hustle, scoring 18 points while contributing on both ends of the floor. His four steals and one block reflected his defensive tenacity, while his five rebounds helped Golden State control the glass. Though he struggled from beyond the arc (2-of-7), his overall aggressiveness and willingness to take big shots highlighted his growing confidence. Logging a team-high 39 minutes, Podziemski continues to establish himself as a critical rotation player.

Jimmy Butler III: B

Stats: 19 PTS, 8 REB (4 OREB, 4 DREB), 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 6-15 FG, 1-4 3PT, 6-6 FT, +10, 35 MIN

Butler was reliable yet slightly subdued compared to his previous outings, tallying 19 points and eight rebounds. His ability to draw contact and convert all six of his free throws was key to keeping Houston at bay. While his shooting was inconsistent (6-of-15 overall), his emphatic late-game dunk provided a crucial exclamation point to the Warriors’ win. Butler continues to mesh well with his new teammates, offering steady contributions on both ends of the floor.

Draymond Green: B

Stats: 13 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 8 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 2 PF, 5-8 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, +8, 30 MIN

Green had a well-rounded performance, finishing with 13 points, eight assists, and two steals. His court vision and passing were on full display, as he frequently set up teammates for easy buckets. However, his four turnovers were a blemish in an otherwise strong showing. Offensively efficient (5-of-8 from the field), Green’s veteran leadership helped the Warriors maintain composure during the Rockets’ fourth-quarter surge.

Moses Moody: B-

Stats: 10 PTS, 6 REB (2 OREB, 4 DREB), 1 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 4-9 FG, 1-4 3PT, 1-2 FT, +10, 34 MIN

Moody’s night was defined by his contributions on defense, with two steals and two blocks helping to stifle Houston’s reserves. Offensively, he scored 10 points but shot just 4-of-9 from the field and 1-of-4 from three. Moody’s six rebounds, including two offensive boards, gave the Warriors extra opportunities, though his three fouls limited his aggressiveness down the stretch. Solid, but not spectacular, Moody continues to be a dependable presence.

Kevon Looney: C+

Stats: 5 PTS, 9 REB (1 OREB, 8 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 5 PF, 2-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FT, +8, 16 MIN

Looney quietly anchored the Warriors’ interior, grabbing nine rebounds, eight of which came on the defensive end. His offensive contributions were limited, scoring just five points on 2-of-4 shooting, but his steady presence helped Golden State maintain control of the paint. Looney’s five personal fouls, however, hindered his ability to play extended minutes in this matchup.

Gui Santos: C

Stats: 5 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 1-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, -7, 17 MIN

Santos had an uneven performance in his 17 minutes on the floor. While he scored five points, including a three-pointer, his 1-of-4 shooting reflected his offensive struggles. On the positive side, he displayed hustle on defense with two steals and added two assists. Still, his -7 plus/minus indicated that his time on the court didn’t significantly impact the game’s outcome.

Pat Spencer: C

Stats: 6 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 2-7 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, -2, 13 MIN

Spencer showed flashes of potential with six points and a block, but his 2-of-7 shooting night left much to be desired. Playing just 13 minutes, he wasn’t able to find a consistent rhythm offensively. However, his willingness to compete on defense and his perfect performance at the free-throw line (2-of-2) offered a glimpse of his ability to contribute in limited action.

Buddy Hield: D

Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-5 FG, 0-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +3, 14 MIN

Hield had another frustrating night, scoring just two points on 1-of-5 shooting. He missed all four of his three-point attempts, negating his reputation as a sharpshooter. While he added a steal and a block, his lack of offensive production and limited presence on the boards (one rebound) made him a non-factor in this game. Golden State will need more from Hield moving forward.

Quinten Post: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-3 FG, 0-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 7 MIN

Post had a forgettable seven minutes, failing to score while missing all three of his shot attempts, including two from deep. His lone highlight was an assist, but his limited impact on both ends of the floor earned him a -3 plus/minus. It was a tough outing for Post, who struggled to find a rhythm in his brief time on the court.