WASHINGTON — In a thrilling return from injury, Stephen Curry recorded 18 of his total 24 points in the second half, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 125-112 victory against the Washington Wizards on Monday night. This marks the Warriors’ fourth consecutive win. Curry had missed the previous three games due to an ankle issue but was back in the starting lineup, although he played just over 24 minutes in the game.

Curry kicked off the scoring with an early 3-pointer and later closed the first half with a stunning buzzer-beater from beyond the arc, boosting the Warriors to a 54-45 lead at halftime. Meanwhile, Buddy Hield contributed significantly off the bench, adding 20 points to the scoreboard. The Warriors’ bench outperformed Washington’s reserves with a significant margin, scoring 60 points to the Wizards’ 33. This season, Golden State has shown a remarkable ability to rely on their bench, averaging a 24-point advantage in bench scoring.

For the Wizards, Jordan Poole was the standout performer, finishing with 24 points. However, the absence of Kyle Kuzma, who missed his third consecutive game due to a right groin strain, and Marvin Bagley III, sidelined by illness, was felt. Despite these challenges, the Wizards fought hard, with Kyshawn George adding 20 points but struggling with a shooting percentage of only 23% from beyond the arc.

A highlight of the evening was the presence of Jayden Daniels, the quarterback for the Washington Commanders, who was met with a warm reception from the fans in attendance.

In terms of takeaways, the Warriors showcased their depth by utilizing 13 players, all of whom logged between 13 and 29 minutes of play. Although their roster depth is impressive, Curry’s return provides the team with a dependable superstar. The Wizards managed to stay competitive throughout, particularly in the fourth quarter when they narrowed the Warriors’ lead to just five points. However, a jumper from Jonathan Kuminga and a subsequent three-pointer from Lindy Waters III helped the Warriors re-establish control of the game.

This game also marked a milestone for Golden State’s head coach, Steve Kerr, who celebrated his 800th game as a coach, joining the ranks of just 18 coaches who have reached this achievement with a single team.

Looking ahead, the Wizards will embark on a challenging five-game road trip, starting with a matchup against Memphis on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Warriors are set to face off against Boston on Wednesday night.