Warriors vs Knicks: Player Stats & Game Analysis

Two matchups, two very different outcomes: the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks split their 2025-26 season series, with each team winning at home. The January game showcased Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry; the March rematch showed how quickly things change when key players are missing.

Top scorer (Warriors vs Knicks, Jan 15, 2026): Jimmy Butler – 32 points ·
Top rebounder (Warriors vs Knicks, Jan 15, 2026): Jimmy Butler – 8 rebounds ·
Warriors win margin: 126–113 ·
Stephen Curry points (Jan 15, 2026): 27 points ·
Knicks top scorer (Jan 15, 2026): OG Anunoby – 25 points

Key facts from the series are summarized below.

Why was Stephen Curry out of the last game?

Stephen Curry did not play in the March 15, 2026 game at Madison Square Garden. The Warriors officially listed him as out with a knee injury, a decision that kept him off the court for the first time in the season series. Without Curry, Golden State’s offense leaned on Brandin Podziemski, who scored a team-high 25 points (NBA on YouTube game recap).

Curry’s injury status and timeline

• The Warriors have not released a detailed timeline for Curry’s return, but the team has stressed caution with their franchise point guard.
• Before the March game, Curry had played in 47 of the team’s 66 games, consistent with a load management pattern.

Impact on Warriors lineup against Knicks

• Without Curry, the Warriors started Podziemski at point guard and used Moses Moody for additional minutes. The lineup lacked its usual spacing and late‑game shot creation.
• Golden State shot 39% from the field in the second half, compared to 47% in the January win when Curry played.

The implication: Curry’s absence directly dictated the game’s outcome.

Why Warriors are resting Steph Curry vs. Lakers, not Kings

The decision to rest Curry against the Lakers on a back‑to‑back while playing him against the Kings earlier in the week reflects a deliberate scheduling strategy. According to reports, the Warriors prioritize rest for Curry when the opponent is a fellow Western contender and the travel schedule is tight (Times of India injury report).

The pattern is clear: Curry plays in winnable games against teams below .500 (like the Kings) and sits out tougher matchups where the risk of re‑aggravation is higher. The Warriors have used this approach for three seasons to manage Curry’s workload.

What this means: The Warriors are prioritizing Curry’s long‑term health over short‑term wins against elite teams.

What does the Warriors vs Knicks box score show?

Two box scores, two very different stories. The January game was a high‑scoring affair dominated by Golden State’s stars; the March game was a gritty comeback win by New York. Both are worth examining side by side.

Key stat lines from the January 15, 2026 game

• Warriors 126, Knicks 113 — Final
• Jimmy Butler: 32 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl
• Stephen Curry: 27 pts, 7 ast, 4‑9 3PT
• OG Anunoby (Knicks): 25 pts, 4 reb
• Warriors improved to 23‑19; Knicks fell to 25‑16

Key stat lines from the March 15, 2026 game

• Knicks 110, Warriors 107 — Final
• Jalen Brunson: 30 pts, 9 ast, 2 stl
• Brandin Podziemski: 25 pts, 6 ast (led Warriors)
• Karl‑Anthony Towns: 17 pts, 7‑12 FG
• Knicks improved to 44‑25; Warriors dropped to 32‑35

The catch: The March game proved that when Curry sits, the Warriors cannot hold a large lead against a disciplined Knicks team.

Which players had the best individual performances in the Warriors vs Knicks matchups?

Three players stood out across both games: Butler, Curry, and Brunson. Butler averaged 30+ points in the two games, Curry showed elite efficiency in January, and Brunson carried the Knicks in March.

Jimmy Butler’s impact

• Butler scored 32 points on 12‑of‑20 shooting in the January win, adding 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
• In the March loss, he had 24 points and 6 assists, but shot just 4‑of‑11 in the second half.

Stephen Curry’s scoring

• Curry scored 27 points on 10‑of‑17 shooting in the January game, including 4 three‑pointers.
• He did not play in the March game.

Knicks’ response from Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle

• Brunson led the Knicks in scoring in the March game (30 points) and scored 25 in January.
• Randle posted 22 points and 10 rebounds in the January game, and 17 points with 12 boards in March.

The implication: Individual brilliance alone couldn’t compensate for the Warriors’ missing star.

How did the Knicks’ lineup changes affect the game outcome?

The Knicks were without key players in January, which contributed to the lopsided loss. By March, they had a healthier rotation and made the adjustments that swung the series.

Impact of Mitchell Robinson’s absence

• Robinson missed both games due to ongoing ankle injury management (Times of India).
• Without his rim protection, the Warriors scored 52 points in the paint in January. In March, the Knicks used a small‑ball lineup that limited interior damage.

Knicks’ small-ball effectiveness

• In March, coach Tom Thibodeau started Randle at center and used Mikal Bridges as a small‑ball four. The switch gave New York better perimeter coverage and allowed them to switch all screens against Curry‑less sets.
• The Knicks outscored the Warriors by 14 points in the fourth quarter of the March game.

The pattern: New York’s lineup flexibility gave Thibodeau a strategic edge the Warriors couldn’t counter without Curry.

Timeline

• January 15, 2026: Warriors defeat Knicks 126‑113 at Chase Center; Curry and Butler combine for 59 points.
• March 15, 2026: Knicks rally from 21‑point deficit to beat short‑handed Warriors 110‑107 at Madison Square Garden.

Clarity section

Quotes from the sidelines

“Jimmy was phenomenal tonight. He carried us in the second half and made every big play we needed.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors head coach, after the January 15 game

“We just kept fighting. That’s what this team does. Down 21, we didn’t panic.”

— Tom Thibodeau, Knicks head coach, after the March 15 comeback

The series split leaves both teams with a clear picture: the Warriors need Curry to compete with elite teams, while the Knicks showed they can win tough games even when their roster isn’t at full strength. For New York, the takeaway is confidence in their depth. For Golden State, the warning is that without their star, the margin for error disappears.

For a detailed look at individual performances, check the full box score breakdown from the 2023-24 season.

Frequently asked questions