Stephen Curry Christmas & Warriors Fantasy January 2026

What About the Rest of the Dubs

Mind you, Curry’s notable performance was just one slice of the pie when it comes to how the Warriors played as a whole on Dec. 25. 

Jimmy Butler posted 14 points and led the team with nine rebounds and nine assists. Moses Moody joined the starting lineup in the backcourt with Curry and added 12 points, while Trayce Jackson-Davis posted 10 points and five rebounds off the bench. De’Anthony Melton and big man Al Horford were the biggest go-getters off the bench with 16 points and 14 points, respectively, and Brandin Podziemski ended the afternoon with 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. 

This collective effort can’t go unnoticed when managers look at Golden State’s fantasy value in January, but more on that a little later.

Klay Thompson Return Context

So we have to talk about “The Klay Thing” because we can’t discuss a Dubs-Mavs matchup without mentioning the Splash Bro Reunion.

Thompson’s presence in the Bay Area carries emotional weight for fans and players alike, and the former teammates shared a warm pregame interaction that reminded viewers of the nationally televised game how much respect the duo has for one another. Curry has even said he wishes Thompson still played for Golden State.

However, those emotions don’t hinder Curry’s performance (which we have already witnessed in past games), as he eluded Thompson’s block to hit a field goal on Christmas Day. Thompson, meanwhile, finished the day with seven points, two points, two rebounds, one steal, and one block off the bench.

It’s more proof that Curry’s fantasy value was bound to elevate heading into January 2026.

Curry’s Fantasy Value Post-Christmas

Season-Long Production

Step back from that single game, and it’s clear why Curry’s fantasy stock is going up as the Warriors as a whole turn the tide and move beyond a rollercoaster start to their 2025-26 campaign.

As impactful as that 23-point day was for the Warriors, it was actually Curry’s lowest-scoring game since Golden State heated up in late December. Curry has actually scored over 25 points in six of his last seven games, starting with a 28-point night against the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 20. He also got 2026 off to a hot start as he posted 31 points while shooting 50% from beyond the arc and added two rebounds and five assists in a 123-114 victory against the Utah Jazz.

Projection for January 2026

The merriment clearly isn’t over. A quick gander at Curry’s opponents in January suggests he will continue to be a top-tier guard with efficiency and volume, making him a fantasy basketball manager’s go-to starter.

January’s schedule includes a bevy of home games and a string of opponents with weaker defenses. Curry has already put up big numbers this season against the Minnesota Timberwolves (39 pts), the Toronto Raptors (39 pts), and the Portland Trailblazers (38 and 48 pts) this season. He will get another look at the Jazz on Jan. 28 and will face the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 9, an opponent he has posted 24.2 points, 5.1 total rebounds, and 6.8 assists against over 50 regular-season games.

Warriors Team Fantasy Outlook January 2026

Schedule and Matchups Notes

The upcoming slate doesn’t just look good for Curry. Golden State has an overall favorable schedule in January, with nine of 14 games being played at home. (And the Warriors have played significantly better at home than on the road this season.) 

Of those upcoming opponents, the Toronto Raptors (Jan. 20) and the Detroit Pistons (Jan. 30) have the only defenses that allow fewer than 40 points from the field per game. Additionally, the Pistons have the only defense that holds teams to under 40% from the field. 

As a contrast, the Warriors will face more middle-of-the-pack defenses in January. And then that Kings defense, which allows a league-high 49.8 field goal percentage per game. 

Long story short, the Warriors have a plethora of opportunities to rack up fantasy points in high-scoring games in January.

Key Players Beyond Curry

A quick glance at Golden State’s overall stats shows that Draymond Green leads the team in rebounds (5.9) and assists (5.1). The Warriors’ supporting cast goes beyond that, of course, which fantasy basketball managers should remember when looking at the January 2026 schedule.

Butler is solid with 19.5 points, but it’s his 5.5 total rebounds and 5.0 assists per night that help open up games for Golden State and round out overall team performance. Horford’s three-point game came alive in late December and he is totalling a team-high 1.0 blocks per night, which will make him a viable option off the bench against bigger teams like the Atlanta Hawks. 

It helps that Podziemski has become more consistent, averaging 12.6 points per game in December. Additionally, Moody is scoring in the double digits more frequently and has become more comfortable shooting from beyond the arc.

Streaming and Depth Options

While the Warriors’ January 2026 schedule is favorable overall, it also includes some teams that play very different styles. Lucky for fantasy managers, the Warriors' roster depth allows for streaming options ahead of tough visiting opponents like the New York Knicks or back-to-back road games late in the month against the Timberwolves. Golden State also has a tough home back-to-back against the Heat and the Raptors, which will impact who Steve Kerr plays.

Which brings us to…

Risks and Overall Takeaways

Load Management Watch

Ah yes, every fantasy basketball manager’s least-favorite topic. 

It’s one that can’t be ignored, however. Curry is 37 years old and doesn’t play every night anymore as a preventative tool against injury and overall fatigue. So while he is expected to keep playing at a high level in January, Golden State’s congested schedule could result in him sitting out against teams he would otherwise face. 

Keep that Heat-Raptors back-to-back in mind, and not just for Curry. Remember, Kerr sat Curry, Butler, and Green against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Warriors fell 131-94 even though Horford, Moody, and rookie Will Richard all rallied for 13 points apiece. 

Rookie and Role Impacts

Speaking of Richard, the rookie has shown growth for the Warriors as the calendar has turned to January. That being said, the youngster isn’t yet a consistent contributor game in and game out. In fact, uniformity eluded the Warriors earlier in the season, and difficulty backing up Curry regularly was costing them games. 

Yes, Golden State was much more consistent behind Curry during that late-December push. However, the tendency to fall flat during a favorable schedule could still loom large.

Manager Strategy Moving Forward

All in all, Steph Curry’s Christmas Day performance signals he will start the new year strong. Fantasy managers should be able to start Curry confidently as he remains an elite guard with an abundance of fantasy upside.

He has a supporting cast that elevates the Warriors’ fantasy relevance, although managers should stream for categories depending on Golden State’s opponents each week. Adjusting for the schedule should help ensure positive fantasy output from the Warriors in January 2026.

People Also Ask

How did Steph Curry perform on Christmas Day 2025?
Curry scored 23 points, went 9-for-9 from the free-throw line, and hit a clutch late three to seal the win.

Is Steph Curry a strong fantasy option in January 2026?
Yes. Curry has scored 25+ points in six of his last seven games and faces favorable January matchups.

Does the Warriors’ January schedule favor fantasy scoring?
Yes. Golden State plays nine home games and faces mostly average or below-average defenses.

Which Warriors players have fantasy value beyond Curry?
Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, and Al Horford offer category-specific upside.