Golden State Warriors guard Gui Santos described Wednesday’s 132-125 victory over the Charlotte Hornets as one of those games where everything clicked. “It’s just a day that you feel good. Even the first shot, the ball was rubbing around the rim and just went in. My body was feeling great. I was just trying to always bring energy, going crashing off boards,” Santos said.
Santos, who scored 13 points in 17 minutes of play off the bench, emphasized the spirit he brings to the court. “The way that I play, the spirit I bring to the game is always because of where I came from. We know it’s hard to make the NBA, and even harder to stay here. So what we do is play hard,” he added.
The Brazilian highlighted his commitment to teamwork and staying ready. “Sometimes it’s just mentality. I’m always working on my body to be ready for the game. Doesn’t matter if it’s the first quarter or the last, I stay ready for the whole game. When you step in, you’ve got to wake up your body and go after every ball.”
Santos also credited the team’s connected offense. “We’re a little bit more connected. We still emphasize giving the ball to Jimmy and Steph, the guys that run the offense. When they have the ball, great things happen. Even when Steph doesn’t have it, he’s running, setting screens, and creating open shots. It’s all connected,” he said.
Reflecting on his growth in 2025, Santos said, “2025 was a great year for me. A lot of special things happened in my personal life and in my basketball life. I’m very glad to be part of this organization. Warriors is like a family. We keep each other together, whether things are good or bad.”
Santos also spoke about his experience with the Brazilian national team. “Last summer I played for the Olympics, and the year before I played the World Cup. It’s always a pleasure to play for the national team,” he said.
The 23-year-old highlighted the joy of contributing to the Warriors’ depth and energy. “I just try to bring energy. Celebrate the hustle play as much as the basketball. When I’m out there, I feel the game and try to give a burst of energy to the team,” Santos added.
Golden State improved to 18-16 with the win and finished December winning five of six games, while Santos’ energy off the bench continued to complement stars like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler.
