In a post‑game press interview after the Golden State Warriors’ win over the Charlotte Hornets, guard De'Anthony Melton discusses several aspects of the contest and his role. He explains how confidence and aggressive mindset fuel his bench production, noting a 20‑plus point, high‑plus‑minus performance. Melton describes the team’s adjustment to the absence of "Jimmy," emphasizing depth, ball movement, and stepping up. He critiques the Hornets’ unconventional defensive tactics—stationary center and Sexton shadowing Curry—highlighting how the Warriors forced other players to step up. He reflects on a pivotal third‑quarter stretch where he scored 13 points, describing his flow state and the energizing effect of the Dub Nation crowd. Melton talks about feeling increasingly at home in Oakland, recalling his brief 2024 stint with the Warriors. He addresses his injury recovery, expressing surprise at the rapid return to form after a 13‑month layoff and outlining his daily work ethic. Finally, he comments on the Warriors’ depth, crediting the bench’s contributions to the current winning streak and asserting that the team’s true talent is now visible.
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him in that second unit with you guys? And cause it seemed like you guys were able to score and everything.
Honestly, it wasn't too much of a change. We just stayed aggressive. You know, Jimmy, when he's out there, he always trying to instill in us confidence and, you know, attack and be aggressive and everything like that. So without him out there, we just felt like we had to make up for that. So I think, I mean, Paz did a great job today with just getting downhill, kicking the ball out. Keeping the ball moving. And I mean, Will stepped up always and he went into the starting lineup off rip and, you know, he had a great game. So stuff like that, it definitely helps us. You know, like I said, we got a deep roster. So we just got to continue to just keep fighting. Hi, De'anthony. Tell me about your production. You've been able to really be successful off the bench, scoring 20-plus points, 20-plus plus-minus in the limited number of minutes. So how are you able to have such success? Just being confident. I think, you know, it took me a little minute just to get used to, you know, playing with the guys again. And like I said before, just getting used to just being out there and every day, different teams, different schemes. So I think now I'm just feeling more comfortable with just my body, with my shot and just, you know, the, my ability to just attack. And, you know, the coach is doing a great job with me, just, you know, showing me film and stuff in ways that I can just be aggressive and just be, you know, be successful. I'm trying to take those.
Melton, Draymond said that the Hornets sometimes played some gimmicky defense, having the center just sit in the paint, and then, like, was it Sexton was like following Curry literally everywhere, including off the court. Just kind of, what did you think about the way the Hornets were trying to, I guess, play defense tonight?
I mean, that was crazy. They was denying, bro, when he was taking the ball out, like, you feel me? So they was denying him 98 feet. So I mean, games like this, you know, everybody else got to step up and show, you know, the threat that we can be when, you know, you deny somebody like that, especially now you put everybody else on 4-on-4 and now you mess up rotations doing that type of stuff. And the way they was doing it, it was just, you know, it wasn't no rhyme or reason. It was just like, we're stopping him tonight. And, you know, other guys stepped up and that's what we needed to do. Cause 30's going to get his and he going to figure out ways to be, you know, effective, but it's about everybody else doing their job too.
And then you scored, I think it was 13 in that third quarter. Just what did you like about— what was feeling good in that, in that quarter, in that closing stretch?
Man, everything. Everything, for real. Yeah, I just felt like I can get to the basket at any point. I felt like, you know, I can be aggressive and make something for my teammates. So that's what I try to do. And, you know, I just, I just kept ending up at the basket. So I just kept shooting it. But I felt good. I felt good. My body felt good. And also I knew with no Jimmy, we had to make up some of those points, some of those rebounds, assists, all that stuff. So I just tried to stay on top of that. And I think, you know, myself and everybody else, I mean, we did such a good job with just, you know, making up for whatever we needed.
De'anthony, that end of the third quarter, LaMelo went for, I think, a tween-tween. You stole it from him, went for a dunk, he fouled you, get two free throws. That was the loudest the crowd was the entire night. How does it feel for you to have just the Golden State Warriors fan base, Dub Nation, behind you?
I mean, it felt amazing. It felt amazing, you know what I mean? And then once I got to the bench, Gary was just like, "Man, you in a flow state." I said, "Something like that, man." So, I mean, it just felt so good just to, you know, be out there. I love to compete, you know what I mean? So when you compete and the crowd gets involved, I love it all. And, you know, that's the type of feel you want to have. And, you know, especially with nights like these, you know, you know, giving a wreck and everything like that, you know, having a crowd involved and, um, and bringing that energy is huge for us just to keep carrying on.
How much does this place starting to feel like a home for you?
Uh, man, taking it day by day, but it definitely does. You know what I mean? I feel like last year was, it was such a, such a weird but quick stint, but you know, also at the same time showed a lot of love and I felt the energy that, you know, everybody was giving me, but now I'm back and, you know, I've played, you know, more games. So I'm feeling everything that, you know, made me come here last year is what I can say too. Thank you.
We ask you a lot about your injury and your recovery, but did you think it would come together this quickly, like get back to this level?
For me, yeah. Like, man, I wanted it off rip, like, you know what I mean? I wanted it from the jump. So, you know, after I went those first couple games and I was going through that slump, I think everybody was just, you know, talking to me about giving myself grace and, you know, understanding that, you know, you spent 13 months out not playing NBA professional basketball. So I think once I, you know, Started to realize that and just started to play basketball. I think stuff started to flow a little bit better. And, you know, I wasn't making shots as much, but now I started to realize, like, you know, I can get to the basket a little bit more. I can get to the basket and kick out, find other players. So now that my shot's rolling around, just makes you so much more effective. And like I said, I just wanted it from the jump. And every day I just try to, you know, stack days and just try to get better. So I try to wash whatever has happened in the past. Like today, I mean, I mean, I love what happened today, but you know, tomorrow, I mean, it's over and then just worried about the next game.
De'anthony, Steve talked about the depth of this team being one of the reasons why you guys have been successful recently, this 5-game win streak or whatever, 4-game win streak. You're one of the catalysts of the depth of this team coming off the bench and like you did leading the team tonight with 24 points. Are we really starting to finally see the true, like, talent of this team, the true Golden State Warriors right now?
Most definitely. I mean, I think a lot of these guys, I've seen them work throughout, you know, throughout the summer and just through my process. So I mean, I have ultimate confidence in everybody out there. And I think, you know, sometimes in this league depth is underutilized and especially in the 82-game season. So I think everybody brings something to the table that provides winning. You know what I mean? I think that's the most important thing, just, you know, whatever you can to win and everything else will flow. Sometimes, you know, you start to make more shots, you start to, you know, rebound a little bit more, play a little bit better defense when you care about the main goal, which the main goal is the winning. And I think everybody on this roster cares and understands what it takes to win. Great. Thank you. Yeah. Appreciate it.
