Stephen Curry’s Warriors thump Bucks in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Bucks’ Gary Trent Jr. (#5) defends against Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler (#10), left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

2025.02.10 – Warriors wing Jimmy Butler had 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and the Golden State pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 125-111 on Monday night.

Warriors guard Stephen Curry scored a season-high 38 points, Buddy Hield added 16 points, while Quinten Post and Moses Moody added 13 each.

Warriors had no answer for Damian Lillard, who scored 38 on 12-for-20 shooting, but they closed out the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks by taking control of the fourth quarter. It was the second straight success of the Butler-Steph Curry pairing.

“Every possession just doesn’t seem as hard,” Curry said postgame. “You still see attention, you still see defenses, but you have to worry about something else. We’re just putting people in the right spots. Obviously, I want to be aggressive. I think earlier in the year, that aggression didn’t necessarily lead to anything as consistently as it has the last two games.”

Curry (38 points, six rebounds, four assists) countered Lillard with his fourth straight 30-point game, his first such streak since 2021. Quinten Post hit big shots late while both Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody — slotted into more appropriate roles — made impressive two-way contributions.

“He (Post) came in and made his mark,” Coach Kerr said “Didn’t matter. He came off the bench ready to roll and gave us some huge buckets.”

The Warriors started small, with Draymond Green at center, but still dominated the rebounding battle, 47 to 36. By generating 17 more shots via boards and forcing 20 turnovers, the Warriors’ poor shooting night didn’t matter.

Together let’s drive

2025.02.10 – Warriors vs. Bucks (NBA Video highlights)

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (#30) left, prepares to shoot a 3-point basket against Milwaukee Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma (#18), right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

2025.02.10 – Warriors vs. Bucks (NBA Video highlights)

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2025.02.10 – Warriors vs. Bucks (NBA Video highlights)

Butler’s presence allows Curry to return closer to his traditional substitution pattern, playing the first 10 minutes of the first and third quarters and the last six-plus of the half and game. Butler’s ability to manufacture offense with Curry off the court gives the Warriors more confidence in sitting him for longer stretches.

Curry used the opportunity to strike a rhythm early, sinking a trio of first-quarter 3-pointers. When he’s aggressive early, defenses seem to overreact even more to him, opening up chances for his teammates.

Curry dropped 11 points in the first quarter, which Oakland native Lillard nearly matched. Lillard went for 43 points and eight assists the night before, cooking as his team needs him to shoulder the load without Antetokounmpo (calf).

Lillard hit shots in 1-on-1 situations against Curry, Butler and anyone else who tried to check him. It was the first time the Warriors played against a lethal on-ball creator without Andrew Wiggins, who was their best point-of-attack defender before heading to Miami in the Butler trade.

Golden State’s offense made up for it, though, with a steady diet of paint looks and foul shots. Butler broke Milwaukee’s zone by playing at the free throw line, pivoting and making smart decisions. To beat the halftime buzzer, he caught the ball in the short roll and found Draymond Green underneath for a layup.

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2025.02.10 – Warriors vs. Bucks (NBC Sports Post Game)

Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody (#4) left, collides with Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (#0) during the second half of their game Monday, February10, 2025 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Golden State Warriors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 125-111. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

2025.02.10 – Warriors vs. Bucks (NBC Sports Post Game)

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2025.02.10 – Warriors vs. Bucks (NBC Sports Post Game)

Milwaukee took its first lead since the opening frame on an AJ Green corner 3 as the Warriors’ offense clogged up to start the third.

Curry, sensing the need for his scoring, snaked his way into an and-1 to reach 27 points. Butler carried the team as he sat, finding Post for a jam, facing up Pat Connaughton for a bucket, bruising his way to the line and sinking a baseline jumper.

Eighteen seconds into the fourth, Green picked up his fourth foul. His replacement, Post, drilled back-to-back triples to push the Warriors ahead by eight. For the second straight game, the Warriors surged as Curry sat to begin the fourth quarter.

In that span, Butler became the first Warrior since Kevin Durant in 2018 to take at least 13 foul shots in consecutive games.

Count that as another way the Warriors are suddenly different.

Butler has scored 45 points and gotten to the line for 27 foul shots in two games as a Warrior — even while he’s admittedly out of game shape and doesn’t know the Warriors’ plays yet.

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2025.02.10 – Warriors vs. Bucks (Locked On Post Game)

Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard (#0) right, controls the ball against Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (#30) left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

2025.02.10 – Warriors vs. Bucks (Locked On Post Game)

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2025.02.10 – Warriors vs. Bucks (Locked On Post Game)

“I can’t wait until I’m back in basketball shape the way that I’m used to being,” Butler said. “Don’t miss free throws as much, I don’t have any lift on my jump shot. Right now, I’m just gassed.”

By sprinting in transition and finding open space around the perimeter, Post provided 13 points (4-of-5 shooting) and three 3-pointers at the start of the fourth quarter — transforming a two-point lead into a 14-point lead in 3:04.

The newly-signed-to-a-standard-contract center stepped into three open triples — extending three fingers toward the ceiling after the third as Golden State’s bench rejoiced in celebration.

“Just quick decisions. Catch and shoot. Catch and swing. Go set a ball screen, pindown. We’re always trying to keep the game simple. He did a great job of that tonight,” Curry said. “Big shots he made and he looks like he’s comfortable. We’re cool with mistakes as long as you’re playing hard. And that’s a good thing for a rookie to kind of go through.”

Curry gave Podziemski a big hug after the young guard took a charge and drew a foul on a moving screen while pressuring Lillard in the back court.

Butler gives the Warriors belief that they can win at a higher level now. The two games with him — albeit against weak or depleted opponents — have validated that faith.

INJURIES

Warriors: F Jonathan Kuminga will be re-evaluated again in ten days as he begins some individual work while recovering from a sprained right ankle that has kept him out the last 14 games.