In a remarkable display of depth and resilience, the Golden State Warriors secured a stunning 99-94 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 7, 2025 (Philippine Time). This win came despite the Warriors being severely shorthanded, missing a host of their top stars.
Warriors Overcome Massive Absences
The Warriors entered Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, without their core lineup. Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Al Horford were all sidelined. The team's injury woes extended further with De'Anthony Melton and Seth Curry also unavailable. This placed Golden State at a significant disadvantage against a Cavaliers squad featuring three All-Stars: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley.
New Starters Step Up in a Big Way
Faced with this challenge, Coach Steve Kerr made bold adjustments to his starting five. Pat Spencer was inserted into the lineup in place of Brandin Podziemski, while Jonathan Kuminga earned his first start of the season. This strategic move paid immediate dividends.
Pat Spencer led the charge for the Warriors, playing a team-high 30 minutes and delivering a stellar performance. He finished with 19 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds, effectively orchestrating the offense in the absence of the usual playmakers.
He received crucial support from fellow starters Buddy Hield (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) and Quinten Post (12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks). The bench also made a vital contribution, with Gui Santos adding 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 26 minutes of action.
Cavaliers' Stars Outshined by Warriors' Team Effort
Despite a strong showing from their All-Star trio, the Cleveland Cavaliers could not overcome the Warriors' collective effort. Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 29 points, while Evan Mobley added 18 points and Darius Garland contributed 17 points. However, it was not enough to secure the win at home.
The result improved the Golden State Warriors' record to 12 wins and 12 losses, bringing them back to .500. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to 14-11 after the surprising defeat. This game serves as a testament to the Warriors' roster depth and coaching staff's ability to adapt under extreme circumstances.
