What We Learned as Warriors’ Team Effort Gets Job Done Without Steph Curry
On Sunday at Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors recorded a 114–83 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Despite the commanding result, the performance lacked sparkle, showing that sometimes solid and methodical play can still bring success.
The Pacers entered the game with a lengthy injury list and were visibly fatigued after playing the Denver Nuggets the previous night. Their lone win of the new season came earlier against a short-handed Warriors squad, giving this matchup a touch of payback for Golden State.
For most of the game, the Warriors appeared lethargic before finding rhythm late in the third quarter. They fully took control in the fourth, outscoring Indiana 39–18 to seal a comfortable win.
Key Performances
- Jimmy Butler was the driving force, nearly posting a triple-double. He finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in 30 minutes, earning a plus-19 rating.
- Al Horford delivered his strongest showing since joining the Warriors. The 39-year-old center, who had been struggling from beyond the arc, finally connected and contributed effectively on both ends.
“Boring can be beautiful.”
This win demonstrated that even without Steph Curry, the Warriors’ collective effort was enough to dominate a depleted opponent and maintain momentum early in the 2025–26 NBA season.
Author’s Summary
The Warriors, led by Jimmy Butler and Al Horford, overcame early sluggishness to rout an exhausted Pacers team, proving that determination and teamwork can outshine missing stars.