In a high-octane matchup on Monday night, the Golden State Warriors secured a 125-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Stephen Curry led the charge with 38 points, showcasing his signature sharpshooting and leadership on the court.
First Quarter Lead
The game began with both teams trading baskets, but the Warriors managed to carve out a 29-27 lead by the end of the first quarter. Curry’s 11 points in the opening period set the tone for his stellar performance. By halftime, Golden State extended their advantage to 58-51, thanks in part to a dominant presence on the boards, outrebounding the Bucks 27-16, as Reuters reported.
Calf Injury
Milwaukee, playing without star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo for the fifth consecutive game due to a calf injury, relied heavily on Damian Lillard. Lillard matched Curry’s output with 38 points and added seven assists, but his 10 turnovers proved costly. Kyle Kuzma and Taurean Prince contributed 21 and 19 points, respectively, but their efforts couldn’t bridge the gap, according to NBA.com.
The third quarter saw the Bucks rally, tying the game at 69-69 following a 7-0 run capped by an Andre Jackson Jr. dunk. They briefly took the lead with a three-pointer from AJ Green. However, the Warriors responded swiftly, closing the quarter with a 6-0 run led by Jimmy Butler, who finished with 20 points and nine rebounds in his second game since joining Golden State. The Warriors entered the final period up 89-83.
Post’s Three-Pointers
In the fourth quarter, Golden State’s offense erupted. Quinten Post drained consecutive three-pointers, extending the lead to eight points. Curry then spearheaded a 20-4 run, scoring seven points during the surge, which put the Warriors ahead 112-94 with just over five minutes remaining. This decisive run effectively sealed the game, allowing Golden State to cruise to victory in the closing minutes.
This win marked the Warriors’ first triumph in Milwaukee after five consecutive losses at Fiserv Forum. The two teams are slated to meet again on March 18 in San Francisco, where the Bucks will look to even the season series.
The Warriors’ victory underscores their resilience and ability to capitalize on opponents’ weaknesses. With Antetokounmpo sidelined, Golden State exploited Milwaukee’s interior defense and controlled the tempo of the game. Curry’s leadership and scoring prowess were instrumental, as he continues to defy age and expectations with performances reminiscent of his MVP years.
For the Bucks, Lillard’s high scoring was overshadowed by turnovers and the absence of Antetokounmpo’s defensive presence. The team will need to address these issues as they aim to maintain their standing in the Eastern Conference.
Curry reached an elite milestone after scoring over 30 points against the Bucks. The Warriors confirmed that he has now joined LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Karl Malone as one of the only players aged 36 or older to record four consecutive 30-point games.
As the NBA season progresses, both teams will look to build on this game—Golden State aiming to maintain momentum and Milwaukee seeking to rebound and regain their form as they await Antetokounmpo’s return.
