The Golden State Warriors secured a 126-116 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day at Chase Center, improving to 16-15 while dropping Dallas to 12-20. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 23 points, including a crucial late 3-pointer, as the team extended their winning streak to three games. Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg shone with 27 points in his holiday debut, but an early injury to center Anthony Davis hampered Dallas.
The game tipped off at 5 p.m. ET on December 25, 2025, in San Francisco, marking a festive reunion for former teammates Klay Thompson, now with Dallas, and Stephen Curry of the Warriors. Thompson received a warm ovation from the Chase Center crowd upon entering in the first quarter, sharing a pregame embrace with Curry at midcourt.
Golden State jumped out to a 40-28 lead after the first quarter, fueled by Al Horford's return from a seven-game absence due to sciatica. The 39-year-old center, who signed with the Warriors in September, went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc for 14 points. The Warriors' bench provided a significant boost, outscoring Dallas 32-15 in the first half, with contributions from De'Anthony Melton (16 points) and Brandin Podziemski (13 points, eight rebounds, four assists).
Dallas mounted an 8-0 run early in the second quarter, but Golden State responded with defensive intensity and offensive tempo, leading 71-58 at halftime. Flagg heated up in the period, scoring 10 of his 12 first-half points. However, tragedy struck for the Mavericks when Anthony Davis exited with 8:50 left in the second quarter due to right groin spasms. He recorded three points, three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in under 11 minutes and did not return, having already missed 16 games earlier this season with a calf injury.
The third quarter saw Curry reach a milestone, surpassing 26,000 career points on a layup assisted by Jimmy Butler, who tallied 14 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds. Golden State maintained a double-digit edge, leading 100-89 entering the fourth. Dallas narrowed the gap to 104-99 with under seven minutes remaining, but the Warriors pulled away with timely stops and free throws, shooting 92% from the line. Curry's 26-foot 3-pointer at 3:44 extended the lead to 115-104, sealing the win.
Draymond Green started despite recent foul trouble and a heated exchange with coach Steve Kerr, contributing seven points and five rebounds. For Dallas, Brandon Williams added 26 points off the bench, while Kyrie Irving remained sidelined with a knee injury. Pre-game odds favored Golden State by 8.5 points with an over/under of 229.5, but the final total was 242 points.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr reflected on the team's 15-15 record entering the game, stating, "We're heading in the right direction... I think we're a good team but I think we have the potential to be an excellent team." Dallas coach Jason Kidd praised Thompson's role off the bench: "He's playing his role at a very high level for us." The Warriors next face Toronto on Sunday, while Dallas visits Sacramento on Saturday.
