San Francisco – Stephen Curry scored a game-high 26 points to lead the Warriors to a convincing 120–97 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. The win improved Golden State to 9–4 at home this season and marked its second straight victory at Chase Center, pushing the Warriors to 2–0 on their current three-game homestand.
The result came at a critical moment for Golden State, which has navigated a stretch of inconsistent play amid multiple lineup changes. A recently adjusted rotation showed signs of stability and added depth, helping the Warriors control the game from start to finish.
Off the bench, Quinten Post provided a strong interior presence, pulling down 12 rebounds and adding eight points as the Warriors found balance on both ends of the floor.
“It’s about putting people in positions to succeed and building the best lineup possible, knowing no one plays 48 minutes,” said Curry. “Coach Steve Kerr is working to create more consistency while finding the right combinations. The style of play between me, Jimmy Butler III, and Draymond Green fits because we know each other so well. With shooting around us, it allows Jimmy to be at his best. The key is understanding what we’re trying to do with whoever is on the floor and not assuming the same approach works for the entire game.”
Stephen Curry caught fire in the third quarter after a slow start, igniting the sellout crowd with four consecutive three-pointers. He scored 15 points in the period, going a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, including all three of his three-point attempts. This performance extends Curry’s hot streak, he has scored at least 25 points in nine of his last 12 games, including four of the last five.
Curry’s offensive surge helped the Warriors create separation from the Magic, who had kept the game close for much of the first half. Golden State put the game out of reach with a dominant 19–2 run in the fourth quarter, powered in part by Brandon Podemski, who scored 16 points and delivered several clutch shots down the stretch, sealing the Warriors’ decisive victory.
“He’s a hell of a player, we’ve seen it,” Kerr said. “He’s had his ups and downs early in his career, this is year three. Like a lot of young players who are good players, he wants to explore how good he can be and sometimes he gets himself in trouble trying to do too much. But when he’s at his best, looks like it did tonight, the ball’s moving, he’s attacking, rebounding. Really good player.”
The Golden State Warriors showcased their offensive balance with three players scoring 20 or more points in the win, led by Curry with 26, followed by Jimmy Butler III with 21 and Moses Moody with 20. It marked the sixth time this season Golden State has had three players reach the 20-point mark in the same game, improving to 3–3 overall and 3–1 at home in those contests.
Ball movement was a key factor, as the Warriors recorded 33 assists on the night. Golden State remains undefeated this season when reaching at least 30 assists, underscoring the importance of their unselfish offensive approach.
Butler’s 21-point effort marked his 16th 20-point game of the season, continuing his consistent scoring presence. Moody, making his fourth consecutive start and 17th of the season, added his fifth 20-point performance, providing a spark on both ends of the floor.
Post, starting for the seventh straight game and 16th time this season, anchored the interior with a career-high 12 rebounds, surpassing his previous best of 11, and further highlighting the depth contributions that fueled Golden State’s victory.
Up Next: The Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 (2 p.m. PST) and conclude their three-game homestand.
Photo by Warriors/Twitter
