Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, moves the ball while defended by Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum throughout the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Steph Curry had 16 of his game-high 30 points within the third quarter, Jimmy Butler celebrated his home debut in front of his recent fans with 18 points and the Golden State Warriors blitzed the Dallas Mavericks 126-102 on Sunday afternoon in San Francisco.
Brandin Podziemski chipped in with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for the Warriors, who retired Andre Iguodala’s No. 9 jersey in a postgame ceremony.
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Kyrie Irving and P.J. Washington tossed in 17 points apiece to pace the Mavericks, who saw a three-game winning streak come to an end as news-making acquisition Anthony Davis sat out a fifth consecutive contest with an adductor strain.
READ: NBA: Andre Iguodala has number retired by Warriors
STEPH’S SPECTACULAR SUNDAY ☀️
30 PTS | 7 AST | 4 REB | 60.0 FG% | W
The @warriors have now won 5 of their last 6! pic.twitter.com/E6as6bDcYJ
— NBA (@NBA) February 23, 2025
After Dallas scored nine of the sport’s first 13 points, the Warriors dominated, constructing a 33-18 margin by the top of the primary period.
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The visitors were inside 61-47 after Klay Thompson nailed a 3-pointer in the primary minute of the second half, but then Curry took over, reaching the 30-point mark for the thirteenth time this season by the top of the period.
Curry didn’t play within the fourth quarter, yet retained game-high assist honors with seven. He made 12 of his 20 shots and three of his eight 3-point attempts.
Butler, whose first five games for Golden State had been on the road, made all eight of his free throws on a day when he also contributed five assists, three rebounds, a steal and a block to the winning cause. The Warriors, who accomplished a 2-2 season-series tie with the defending Western Conference champs, are 5-1 since Butler’s addition.
READ: NBA: Warriors shoot their well beyond Kings
Moses Moody added 14 points and Quinten Post 10 for the Warriors, while Draymond Green had 13 to enrich six assists, 4 rebounds and two steals. Golden State shot 48.0 percent and outrebounded the Mavericks 54-42.
Thompson, making his third appearance in San Francisco since agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal within the offseason, overcame a scoreless first half to drill three of his trademark 3-pointers. He finished with 11 points, as did Jaden Hardy.
Kessler Edwards and Moses Brown were Dallas’ leading rebounders with eight apiece.
