On Friday night, February 21, 2025, the Golden State Warriors rolled into Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center and delivered a resounding 132-108 victory over their Northern California rivals, the Sacramento Kings. While the star power of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III often grabs the headlines, this game was a showcase for the Warriors’ depth, with role players stepping up in a big way to secure a convincing road win. With Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Buddy Hield leading the charge alongside Curry and Butler, the Warriors improved to 4-1 in the Jimmy Butler era and leapfrogged the Kings in the Western Conference standings. Here’s how Golden State’s unsung heroes paved the way for a statement victory.
A Fast Start Sets the Tone
From the opening tip, the Warriors displayed the kind of energy and execution that has defined their resurgence this season. Unlike some of their recent outings where slow starts forced them to claw back, Golden State kept pace with a motivated Kings squad early on. Steph Curry provided an initial spark, dropping a quick 10 points in the first quarter to stake the Dubs to a 10-6 lead and force an early Sacramento timeout. But it was Buddy Hield who brought the real fireworks in the opening frame, pouring in 10 points of his own, including a crucial three-pointer that helped the Warriors close the quarter with a slim 31-28 advantage.
The Kings, fueled by DeMar DeRozan’s relentless scoring—he finished with a game-high 34 points—came out swinging with a 10-2 run to briefly take the lead. However, Golden State’s role players refused to let the game slip away. Hield’s hot hand and a transition layup from Podziemski kept the Dubs in control, setting the stage for a second-quarter explosion that would define the night.
Second-Quarter Surge: Role Players Take Over
If the first quarter was a feeling-out process, the second was a masterclass in Warriors basketball. Moses Moody, who had already shown flashes of brilliance in the opening period, opened the frame with five straight points, igniting a 24-6 run that spanned both quarters. Rookie big man Quinten Post, stepping into a small-ball lineup, added a fascinating wrinkle with his size and shooting touch, knocking down three triples in the quarter to stretch the Kings’ defense thin. Meanwhile, Podziemski capped the run with a three of his own, pushing the lead to double digits.
The Warriors’ depth continued to shine as Hield and Curry orchestrated a beautiful sequence late in the half: Hield scored at the rim, Golden State forced a steal, and Curry found Gary Payton II with a full-court pass for an emphatic bucket that ballooned the lead to 20. By halftime, the Warriors were up 68-53, having shot an blistering 11-of-23 from beyond the arc. The Kings, despite shooting a respectable 50.6% from the field, couldn’t keep up with Golden State’s three-point barrage, trailing by as many as 20 points in the quarter.
Weathering the Storm and Sealing the Deal
Sacramento didn’t go down without a fight. Coming out of the break, the Kings mounted a third-quarter push, cutting the deficit to eight points behind DeRozan’s mid-range mastery and some timely buckets from Zach LaVine and Malik Monk (13 points each). A quick 8-0 spurt prompted an early timeout from Steve Kerr, and for a moment, it seemed like the home crowd might will their team back into the game. But the Warriors’ role players had other plans.
Moses Moody answered the call with a scoring outburst, while Draymond Green locked down the defensive end, sparking a 10-0 run that forced the Kings to burn two timeouts in quick succession. By the end of the third, Golden State had reestablished a comfortable 100-83 lead, thanks in large part to their bench outscoring Sacramento’s 46-19 for the game. The fourth quarter was a formality, with Curry punctuating an 11-0 run with five straight points to push the lead back to 20, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Standout Performances from the Supporting Cast
The numbers tell the story of a balanced Warriors attack. Moses Moody and Buddy Hield led the way with 22 points each off the bench, with Moody showcasing his growing confidence as a scorer and Hield thriving against his former team. Brandin Podziemski chipped in 21 points, proving once again that he’s a key piece of Golden State’s future. Curry added 20 points on efficient shooting, while Butler contributed 17 in a well-rounded effort. Five Warriors in double figures—a rare feat—underscored the team’s depth and unselfish play.
Defensively, Golden State was equally impressive. They swarmed the Kings with crisp rotations, forcing turnovers that led to a staggering 38 points off miscues. The Warriors shot 53.8% from the field and 20-of-43 from three, a testament to their sharp ball movement, screening, and cutting. For a team that had struggled with turnovers in previous matchups against Sacramento (19 and 22 in earlier losses this season), limiting themselves to just 12 giveaways was a massive step forward.
A Statement Win in a Tight Race
This victory wasn’t just about the final score—it was a litmus test for a Warriors team looking to assert itself in the crowded Western Conference. Finishing a grueling stretch of seven straight road games with a dominant performance against the team directly ahead of them in the standings sends a message: Golden State is finding its rhythm at the right time. With Jimmy Butler still acclimating to Kerr’s system, the fact that the Warriors are 4-1 since his arrival speaks volumes about their adaptability and depth.
For Sacramento, the loss stings. Despite DeRozan’s heroics and a near triple-double from Domantas Sabonis (14 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists), the Kings couldn’t match Golden State’s firepower from deep, getting outscored 60-33 on three-pointers. It’s a reminder that in today’s NBA, perimeter shooting often trumps even the most efficient interior play.
Looking Ahead
The Warriors head home to face the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, carrying momentum from this wire-to-wire dismantling of their rivals. The Kings, meanwhile, will look to regroup against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. For Golden State fans, Friday’s win is a glimpse of what this team can be when the role players step up: a juggernaut capable of beating anyone, anywhere. With Curry and Butler leading the way and a supporting cast firing on all cylinders, the Warriors are rounding into form just as the season’s second half heats up. Watch out, Western Conference—the Dubs are coming.
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