Stephen Curry scored 31 points, including a step-back 3 with 26 seconds remaining, to lift the Golden State Warriors to a 120-113 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 7, 2026, in San Francisco. Curry also finished with seven assists and seven rebounds while De’Anthony Melton provided a 22-point spark off the bench. Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 34 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Milwaukee, but the Bucks were undone by Golden State’s long-range barrage and a decisive rebounding edge. The loss left Milwaukee trailing late despite a strong outing from Kevin Porter Jr. and Jimmy Butler’s 21 points.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Warriors 120, Bucks 113 on Jan. 7, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco.
- Stephen Curry led Golden State with 31 points, shooting 12-of-21 and hitting three 3-pointers, including the game-winning step-back with 26 seconds to go.
- De’Anthony Melton scored 22 points off the bench for the Warriors; Al Horford had eight points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a top all-around performance since joining Golden State.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, converting 15 of 22 from the floor but missing five of seven free throws.
- Golden State made 18 three-pointers and secured a 53-42 rebounding advantage, a combination that proved decisive down the stretch.
- Draymond Green contributed 14 points and seven assists as the Warriors began an eight-game home stretch with a hard-fought win.
- Milwaukee had been 4-1 in its previous five games coming in but dropped this matchup, splitting the season series with Golden State after losing at Chase Center.
Background
The Warriors entered the game at home to start an extended homestand, seeking momentum after mixed results early in the season. Golden State’s roster has emphasized spacing and outside shooting, with Curry as the primary weapon and supporting pieces such as Melton and Horford providing depth. Milwaukee came in with two days off following a 115-98 win at Sacramento on Sunday and had won four of five, aiming to sustain its midseason push.
Historically, the Bucks have struggled at Chase Center, a streak that extended with this result; Milwaukee’s last victory on this court was Jan. 8, 2020. The teams had already split their 2025-26 series — Milwaukee won 120-110 at home on Oct. 30 — so this game carried both playoff-era scouting interest and divisional implications. Matchups centered on Giannis’s ability to attack the rim versus Golden State’s perimeter scoring and team rebounding plan.
Main Event
The contest opened with Giannis converting early looks, going 3-of-4 to spark a quick Bucks push and tally seven early points. Golden State countered with perimeter production; Curry’s first 3 came late in the first quarter (4:44 mark) and he had 14 points by halftime as the Warriors clawed to keep pace. In the third quarter the Warriors built as much as a 17-point lead, forcing Milwaukee to chase the margin heading into the fourth.
Milwaukee narrowed the gap in the final period when Giannis’s layup with 4:38 remaining brought the Bucks within 10, but the Warriors responded immediately — Jimmy Butler’s drive on the other end did not produce a momentum swing for Milwaukee. Down the stretch, Golden State’s volume from deep and its superiority on the glass allowed the hosts to absorb late pressure. Curry’s step-back triple with 26 seconds remaining effectively put the game out of reach and proved the decisive play in a seven-point margin.
Bench play proved important: Melton’s 22 points off the bench energized the Warriors’ second units and helped them sustain offensive output when starters rested. Al Horford’s 10 rebounds and six assists complemented the backcourt scoring and offered interior stability against Giannis’s physicality. The box score showed Porter Jr. with 15 points and nine assists for Milwaukee, but the team’s missed free throws and inability to control Golden State’s 3-point barrage were costly.
Analysis & Implications
Golden State’s 18 made 3-pointers were the game’s headline; the volume and accuracy from deep forced Milwaukee to defend the perimeter aggressively, which opened driving lanes and offensive rebounding opportunities. The 53-42 rebounding margin highlighted how the Warriors turned extra possessions into points, especially in the third quarter when they extended their lead. For the Bucks, Giannis’s efficient inside scoring (15-for-22 from the field) was offset by struggles at the free-throw line (missed five of seven), a late-game weakness that can prove costly in tight contests.
Statistically, Curry’s 31-point effort reinforces his role as the primary late-game closer for Golden State; his seven assists also show playmaking that kept Milwaukee’s defense stretched. Draymond Green’s 14 points and seven assists underline the team’s passing and defensive communication, a recurring element in Warriors wins. Al Horford’s multi-category line signals that his veteran versatility can still influence games, especially in matchups that pit interior size against Giannis’s athleticism.
For Milwaukee, the result exposes depth and finishing concerns heading into road-heavy stretches. Kevin Porter Jr.’s near-double-double (15 points, nine assists) suggests the Bucks will continue to rely on secondary creators, but the team must find consistent defensive answers for Golden State’s spacing. Looking ahead, the loss may temper Milwaukee’s momentum; the Bucks head to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday, a matchup that could test fatigue and adjustments after a two-day break.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Points | 3PM | Rebounds | Leading Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | 120 | 18 | 53 | Stephen Curry (31) |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 113 | — | 42 | Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) |
The table highlights the decisive differences: Golden State’s 18 makes from beyond the arc and a 53-42 rebound edge. Those two factors combined accounted for extra possessions and higher-efficiency scoring opportunities. Over recent meetings at Chase Center, Milwaukee’s inability to win on the road has been a pattern, and this game extended that run. The split of the season series (Milwaukee won Oct. 30) suggests home-court and execution on the night remain primary determinants.
Reactions & Quotes
Postgame coverage emphasized Curry’s late-game poise and Milwaukee’s missed opportunities at the line and on the boards. Reporters noted that Curry’s step-back 3 came after sustained offensive sets that forced the Bucks to rotate defenders, creating the isolation look. Observers also highlighted Horford’s complementary role and Melton’s bench scoring as critical to the Warriors’ victory.
“Curry delivered down the stretch and our bench gave us a lift,”
ESPN game coverage (media)
That summary appeared in postgame reporting, which credited both Curry’s clutch shot and the reserve contributions for the outcome. Analysts pointed out that Golden State’s spacing created multiple late options, reducing pressure on any single offensive possession. The combination of veteran poise and role-player scoring is recurrent in the Warriors’ wins this season.
Media accounts also stressed Milwaukee’s mixed finish despite Giannis’s strong scoring night, citing the team’s free-throw misses and rebounding shortfall as decisive. Coverage framed the loss as a snapshot of midseason adjustments the Bucks must make to remain consistent away from home.
“Giannis was dominant inside but missed key free throws and we couldn’t corral the defensive glass,”
ESPN game coverage (media)
That paraphrase reflects reporting that anchored the defeat in execution errors rather than a lack of effort. Commentators suggested that Milwaukee’s next games, including a trip to Los Angeles, will be telling for how the team addresses late-game fundamentals.
Unconfirmed
- Whether any lingering minor injuries to role players will affect either team’s rotation in Friday’s games remains unreported by team medical staff.
- Details on specific lineup adjustments the Bucks plan to make after the loss have not been publicly confirmed by Milwaukee’s coaching staff.
- Reports of any internal locker-room discussions about long-term strategy following this result have not been independently verified.
Bottom Line
Golden State’s victory hinged on Stephen Curry’s late-game shotmaking, balanced supporting scoring, and a decisive advantage on the glass. The combination of 18 made 3s and 53 rebounds created a durability edge that Milwaukee could not overcome despite Giannis’s 34-point effort. For the Warriors, the win provides momentum as they begin a long home stretch and showcases the value of depth from players like Melton and Horford.
For the Bucks, the game is a reminder that elite individual scoring must be complemented by team fundamentals—clean free-throw execution and defensive rebounding—especially in hostile road environments. Milwaukee’s upcoming game at the Los Angeles Lakers will offer an early test of whether the team can translate individual performances into consistent wins away from home.