It wasn’t just another win. It was a statement. On the night before Thanksgiving, Stephen Curry reminded everyone why he’s still the heartbeat of the Golden State Warriors. In front of a raucous crowd at Chase Center in San Francisco, the 37-year-old guard dropped 31 points on 11-of-21 shooting, adding seven assists and five rebounds to lead his team to a 118-106 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday, November 24, 2025. The win marked the Warriors’ 10th of the 2025-2026 season — a small but crucial milestone in what’s been a rocky start.
Early Fireworks, Then Silence
The Utah Jazz came out swinging. Dante Exum, the 31-year-old Australian guard, hit three straight three-pointers to spark an 11-0 run. For a few minutes, it looked like Utah might pull off the upset. But then, the Warriors’ offense clicked — not with brute force, but with precision. They moved the ball like a symphony. By halftime, they had 22 assists. By the final buzzer, 34. Only 10 turnovers. A 3.4-to-1 ratio that’s rare even for the most polished teams. They took 103 field goals — a season high — not because they were shooting blindly, but because every pass found the right spot.Curry didn’t need to force anything. He let the game come to him. A backdoor cut in the third quarter? He was gone. A delayed handoff that froze the defense? He slipped behind like smoke. Even when the Jazz doubled him, he found the open man — often Buddy Hield, who finished with 20 points and a quiet confidence that belied the team’s struggles.
"We Were in a Rut"
The next day, in a 5:21 a.m. UTC video release from the Warriors’ media team, Buddy Hield spoke candidly. "This hasn’t been the easiest start to your season," he said, rubbing his neck. "How nice is it to see a few go down tonight?" His words weren’t boastful. They were weary. And honest.Hield didn’t shy away from the truth: the team’s chemistry has been fractured. He referenced "two guys in Scott Paul was George and marketing" — a garbled but telling moment that revealed the confusion in the locker room. He meant Scottie Pippen? No. He meant Scottie Pippen — a misstatement, perhaps, but one that exposed the disarray. The team’s rotation has been shuffled weekly. Players are banged up. Practice time is scarce. "We just was in a rut," Hield admitted. "Trying to rest guys. Guys are some guy a couple guys are banged up. But you know, we just got to keep staying together."
His optimism, though, was real. "This team is great," he insisted. "We just got to get in the rhythm. Get more couple practice, too." The Warriors have played 15 games in 29 days. That’s brutal. But Hield believes the schedule will turn. "It’s going to come in our favor," he said. And maybe he’s right.
Why This Win Matters
The Warriors aren’t title favorites anymore. Not like in 2017. Not even like in 2022. But they’re not done. This win wasn’t about dominance — it was about resilience. Curry didn’t need 40 points. He needed 31. Enough to tilt the game. Enough to remind the league: he still controls the tempo. The Warriors’ 34 assists? That’s not luck. That’s identity. Even with injuries, even with lineup chaos, they’re still playing the way Steve Kerr designed: off-ball movement, constant cuts, defenders scrambling.Meanwhile, the Jazz? They looked lost. After their hot start, they faded. Their offense became stagnant. No one stepped up beside Exum. Their three-point shooting — 12-of-29 on the night — dried up after the first quarter. They had 27 assists, but too many of them were forced. Too many isolation plays. Too little flow. The slcdunk.com recap called it: "A lackluster offense versus literally Steph Curry." And it was.
What’s Next?
The Warriors play the Lakers in two days. Then the Clippers. Then a back-to-back in Denver. The schedule doesn’t get easier. But if Curry keeps playing like this — and if Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, and the rest start finding rhythm — this team might just sneak into the playoffs. The key? Practice. And time. Hield said it: "Once we get everybody together." That’s the hope. That’s the plan.For now, the Warriors have something they haven’t had in weeks: momentum. And Curry? He’s still the reason it exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Stephen Curry’s performance compare to his past seasons?
Curry’s 31-point outing on November 24, 2025, was his highest-scoring game since February 2024 and his most efficient in over a year, shooting 52.4% from the field and 40% from three. While not his career-best, it’s his most impactful this season — especially considering he played 34 minutes with minimal rest, guiding the team through a high-paced, turnover-free offensive system that’s been inconsistent all year.
Why are the Warriors struggling with team chemistry despite having star players?
Injuries have forced 12 different starting lineups in the first 15 games. Key contributors like Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson have missed 11 and 8 games respectively, disrupting rhythm. Buddy Hield noted that players are "banged up" and practice time is limited. Without consistent reps, even elite shooters struggle to sync — especially when the offense relies on timing and movement over isolation.
What role did Dante Exum play in the Jazz’s early lead?
Exum, a 31-year-old veteran guard, scored 15 points in the first quarter, hitting three straight threes and attacking the rim with aggression. His energy sparked the Jazz’s 11-0 start, but he faded after halftime, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-18 shooting. Without consistent support from Lauri Markkanen or Collin Sexton, Utah couldn’t sustain the momentum.
How did the Warriors’ assist-to-turnover ratio impact the game?
The Warriors’ 34 assists against just 10 turnovers created a 3.4:1 ratio — their best of the season and one of the top marks in the NBA this year. Every assist meant a defender was out of position, opening lanes for Curry or open threes for Hield and Kuminga. The Jazz, by contrast, had 27 assists but 18 turnovers — a sign of rushed decisions and poor spacing under pressure.
When will the Warriors’ schedule ease up?
After their next four games — all against Western Conference playoff contenders — the Warriors have a stretch of six games in 11 days with three at home and only two back-to-backs. That’s their first real chance to build continuity. The team’s next full practice day is December 1, when all nine healthy players are expected to be available together for the first time since November 3.
Is this win a sign the Warriors are turning the corner?
It’s a sign they can still win — even when off. Curry’s leadership, the ball movement, and Hield’s scoring burst suggest the core is still intact. But turning the corner? That requires consistency. One game doesn’t fix injuries or chemistry gaps. Still, it’s the first time since mid-November the Warriors looked like the team they were built to be.
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