Stephen Curry delivered yet another masterpiece Thursday night, torching the Orlando Magic for a season-high 56 points and sinking 12 three-pointers to propel the Golden State Warriors to a 121-115 comeback victory. In his NBA-record 26th career game with at least 10 threes, Curry shot 16 of 25 overall and a perfect 12 for 12 from the free-throw line, outscoring Orlando by himself in a decisive third quarter.
Down by 14 at halftime, Curry’s 22-point eruption in the third period flipped the game in Golden State’s favor, turning a double-digit deficit into a five-point lead. The Warriors’ bench also played a key role, with Quinten Post contributing 18 points, including 10 straight in the second quarter, while Draymond Green added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Even with Curry resting, Golden State’s defense held Orlando scoreless for the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, helping stretch the lead to 12 and secure the team’s fifth consecutive victory. The Warriors, now winners of seven of their last eight since acquiring Jimmy Butler, continue to gain momentum as they push toward the postseason. Let’s provide a rating for every Warriors player for his performance.
Stephen Curry: A+
Stats: 56 PTS, 4 REB (0 OREB, 4 DREB), 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 0 PF, 16-25 FG, 12-19 3PT, 12-12 FT, +15, 34 MIN
Curry delivered a historic performance, erupting for a season-high 56 points while sinking 12 three-pointers to lead the Warriors to a thrilling comeback victory. His third-quarter explosion, where he poured in 22 points, single-handedly turned the game around after Golden State trailed by 14 at halftime. Despite facing relentless defensive pressure, Curry’s efficiency was remarkable, shooting 16-of-25 from the field and a flawless 12-of-12 from the free-throw line. His scoring outburst, coupled with timely defensive contributions, was the driving force behind the Warriors’ fifth straight win.
Quinten Post: B+
Stats: 18 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 7-9 FG, 2-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, +22, 24 MIN
Post provided a huge spark off the bench, contributing 18 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting while adding five rebounds and a block. His 10 straight points in the second quarter helped keep the Warriors afloat while Curry rested, preventing Orlando from building an insurmountable lead. Post’s ability to space the floor and finish inside added a valuable dimension to Golden State’s offense, and his +22 plus-minus reflected his strong impact on both ends.
Draymond Green: B-
Stats: 12 PTS, 10 REB (3 OREB, 7 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 4 PF, 3-8 FG, 1-1 3PT, 5-7 FT, +6, 32 MIN
Green recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while chipping in four assists, but he struggled with turnovers, committing four in the game. His trademark defensive intensity was evident, and he helped stabilize the team in the second half as they tightened up on that end. Though his shooting remained inconsistent, his leadership and playmaking were instrumental in executing the Warriors’ game plan during their comeback.
Moses Moody: C+
Stats: 10 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 1-5 FG, 1-5 3PT, 7-7 FT, -7, 25 MIN
Moody had a quiet night offensively, finishing with 10 points on just 1-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. However, he was aggressive in getting to the free-throw line, where he made all seven of his attempts. His defensive activity was solid, and he contributed a block, but he struggled to find his rhythm offensively. While his scoring was limited, he remained engaged and played with good energy.
Brandin Podziemski: C+
Stats: 8 PTS, 4 REB (0 OREB, 4 DREB), 7 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 3-12 FG, 2-6 3PT, 0-0 FT, -10, 32 MIN
Podziemski had a tough shooting night, hitting just 3-of-12 from the field, but he made up for it with his playmaking, dishing out seven assists. He also provided solid rebounding from the guard position, grabbing four boards while contributing two blocks on the defensive end. His ability to impact the game despite his offensive struggles was commendable, but the Warriors will need more efficiency from him moving forward.
Kevon Looney: C+
Stats: 0 PTS, 7 REB (3 OREB, 4 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -7, 14 MIN
Looney didn’t score in this game, but his rebounding was crucial as he pulled down seven boards, including three on the offensive glass. While his offensive impact was minimal, his ability to provide second-chance opportunities and his defensive presence in the paint were still valuable. Though he played just 14 minutes, his physicality helped keep Orlando’s frontcourt in check.
Jimmy Butler III: C
Stats: 5 PTS, 4 REB (2 OREB, 2 DREB), 7 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 1-7 FG, 0-3 3PT, 3-4 FT, -7, 32 MIN
Butler had an off night offensively, scoring just five points on 1-of-7 shooting. Despite his struggles, he still found ways to contribute, grabbing four rebounds and leading the team with seven assists. His defensive presence was felt with two blocks, but his inability to knock down shots limited his impact. The Warriors will need more offensive production from Butler as they continue their playoff push.
Gary Payton II: C
Stats: 5 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 2-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-2 FT, +3, 17 MIN
Payton had a quiet night, finishing with five points and just one rebound in 17 minutes of action. He did manage two steals and a block, showcasing his usual defensive instincts, but his offensive impact was minimal. While his efficiency was solid (2-of-3 from the field), he wasn’t as aggressive as usual, and the Warriors could have used more from him on both ends.
Buddy Hield: D
Stats: 3 PTS, 1 REB (1 OREB, 0 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-5 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, +13, 18 MIN
Hield struggled to find his shot, managing just three points on 1-of-5 shooting. He contributed two assists and a steal, but he was largely a non-factor offensively. His ability to space the floor is usually a key asset for the Warriors, but in this game, he wasn’t able to make a significant impact. He’ll need to bounce back with a more efficient performance in upcoming matchups.
Kevin Knox II: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB (1 OREB, 0 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, +4, 5 MIN
Knox played just five minutes and wasn’t able to make much of an impact, finishing with two points and one rebound. He missed both of his three-point attempts, and his limited playing time didn’t allow him to contribute much on either end.
Gui Santos: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 7 MIN
Santos also had a brief stint, scoring two points in seven minutes. He recorded a steal but didn’t have many opportunities to impact the game. His limited role kept him from making a significant contribution in this one.
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