What we learned as Jimmy Butler, Gary Payton II lead Steph-less Warriors to win

SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors fans near and far showed Kevon Looney an immense amount of love Saturday night in his return to Chase Center as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.There wasn’t much else to cheer for, even in a 104-96 Warriors win.Jimmy Butler was the main bright spot in a game where the Warriors badly missed Steph Curry, who is out because of a quad contusion he sustained last game. Butler was the Warriors’ offense. Making the Pelicans pay in the paint and at the free-throw line, Butler was a plus-22 and barely missed a triple-double, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. Jimmy BUCKETS @nbcsauthentic pic.twitter.com/jlqq05gGab — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 30, 2025 Second on the medal stand for the Warriors was Gary Payton II. The Warriors’ best offense when they’d go completely stagnant was Payton sneaking behind the Pelicans’ defense, running the baseline and converting for two points. Payton played 25 minutes off the bench and was a plus-13 with 19 points and 11 rebounds. GP2 DAGGER pic.twitter.com/9RQ7v829Nn — Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors)...