Warriors crush Mavericks in Jimmy Butler’s home debut
Warriors guard Brandon Podziemski (2) celebrates with Jimmy Butler after he hit a 3-pointer on an assist from Butler in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center on Sunday. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle
2025.02.23 – The Warriors have won five of six games with Jimmy Butler, today he played his home debut, and the Golden State crush the Dallas Mavericks 126-102 on Sunday.
Warriors guard Stephen Curry normally reserves his “night night” celebration for the end of games when he’s sure the Warriors will win.
Usually after he ensures so with a triple.
But Curry unleashed it Sunday afternoon in the third quarter of a win over the Mavericks (31-27) opposite forward P.J. Washington, who mocked it after victories over Golden State this season.
With the Warriors leading by 21, he drove toward Washington, stepped behind the arc, swished a 3-pointer and backpedaled down the sideline — momentarily clasping his hands by his head as the Chase Center faithful roared in approval.
“It’s just a moment that I had with somebody on the other side,” Curry said through a smirk post-game, adding “confidence produces good play, which allows you to have fun. You try to repeat that cycle as much as possible. The ‘night night’ stuff is never really predictable. It’s just whenever I’m feeling it.
“And you’ve got to be good to do it.”
Curry’s celebration further frenzied another spirited sellout crowd that collectively roared with “Warriors” chants during Butler’s home debut.
2025.02.23 – Mavericks vs. Warriors (NBA Video highlights)
The Dallas Mavericks defender goes against Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (#30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle
2025.02.23 – Mavericks vs. Warriors (NBA Video highlights)
2025.02.23 – Mavericks vs. Warriors (NBA Video highlights)
Curry finished with 30 points, seven assists and a premium seat to watch the fourth quarter. Butler added 18 points, five assists and eight free throws. Brandin Podziemski supplied 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for the Warriors, who pulled a half-game behind Dallas for eighth place in the Western Conference.
Now 5-1 with Butler, Golden State (30-27) has a three-game win streak for the first time since Nov. 15.
“You can tell our fans see the difference,” head coach Steve Kerr added post-game, acknowledging the enthusiasm that filled Chase Center during Golden State’s first home game since Feb. 3.
“They feel the momentum just like we do. It was an important shift, the trade itself … we needed it,” Kerr continued. “We felt it. We were kind of treading water. We couldn’t get any traction in the season. … Just so happened that one of the best players in the league was available and that doesn’t happen very often.”
The immeasurable confidence Butler infused into the Warriors reflects statistically over the past six games. They’re sixth offensively (120.8 points per 100 possessions) and third defensively (106.8) to form the NBA’s fourth-best net rating (plus-13.9).
Butler balances Curry’s presence on the perimeter with his complementary proficiency in the paint, where Golden State worked Sunday for a 60-46 advantage and a 20-13 advantage at the free-throw line.
2025.02.23 – Mavericks vs. Warriors (NBC Sports Post Game)
Warriors swingman Moses Moody, right, tussles for a loose ball with the Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving as Gary Payton II looms above them in the second quarter at Chase Center on Sunday\. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle
2025.02.23 – Mavericks vs. Warriors (NBC Sports Post Game)
2025.02.23 – Mavericks vs. Warriors (NBC Sports Post Game)
On defense next to anchor Draymond Green (13 points, four rebounds, six assists, two steals), he anticipates passes, attacks and cuts, helping coax the Mavericks into 18 turnovers that the Warriors converted into 30 points.
“The game feels easier right now for us,” Kerr said. “Every play is not as crucial when there’s a consistency to the game. You can make a mistake and keep playing and not feel like ‘we’ve got flip things right now.’ … The consistency with what we’re seeing defensively is setting the tone.”
Spectators first rained applause on Butler during a pregame introduction that preceded a 9-4 Golden State deficit. Kerr called timeout to regroup the Warriors, who responded with a 28-9 run.
With swarming defense and selfless offense, they avenged their loss a week ago Wednesday to the Mavericks — their only defeat with Butler — by building a 23-point second-quarter lead they’d nurse throughout the second half.
Curry went to rest with a nine-point lead toward the end of the first quarter, returning 7:21 later to a 19-point advantage that Butler, Podziemski, Moses Moody, Green and Quinten Post formed atop the second quarter.
2025.02.23 – Mavericks vs. Warriors (NBC Sports Post Game)
Jimmy Butler (left) congratulates Andre Iguodala (right) before a ceremony honoring Iguodala and the unveiling of his jersey number in the rafters at Chase Center on Sunday. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle
2025.02.23 – Mavericks vs. Warriors (NBC Sports Post Game)
2025.02.23 – Mavericks vs. Warriors (NBC Sports Post Game)
In 18 minutes, that unit has a net rating of plus-76.5. A unit with Buddy Hield in place of Moody has plus-22.2 net rating.
“They’ve just been playing really solid, smart basketball,” Curry said. “Totally different than it was before when you felt a little bit of pressure to try to create a little separation because we were trying to fill some holes in those minutes. I like this formula. It makes sense. It works.”
Everything seems to go for the Warriors with Butler.
Competing without star big man Anthony Davis and centers Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, the Mavericks (31-27) got 17 points apiece from Washington and Kyrie Irving. Warriors icon-turned-Mavericks wing Klay Thompson had 11 points on 3-of-8 shooting.
Curry scored 16 points in the third quarter, garnishing his flurry at Washington’s expense.
“We all love expectations,” Curry said. “We love playing for something meaningful, and the only energy you’re putting out there is to try to get it done.”
The Warriors retired Andre Iguodala’s jersey after the game. The forward helped the Warriors win four championships and was the NBA Finals MVP in 2015.
INJURIES
Warriors: F Jonathan Kuminga begins some individual work while recovering from a sprained right ankle and will be re-evaluated later this week.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: They’ll prepare for what should be an emotional matchup Tuesday in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Luka Doncic on Feb. 25.
Warriors: Play at home against the Charlotte Hornets. February 25. (GSW ROSTER)
Related – See : Warriors’ playoffs confidence builds after beating Rockets
Related – See below: 2022 Warriors NBA Finals Champions
Read more at: Golden State Warriors Media Services / More AP NBA
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2022 Warriors NBA Finals Champions