ORLANDO, Fla. – Stephen Curry turned the Kia Center into his personal playground tonight, erupting for a season-high 56 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a nail-biting 121-115 victory over the Orlando Magic. As the clock ticked past 10:20 PM PST on this chilly February evening, fans were still buzzing about Curry’s jaw-dropping performance, which included a record-tying 12 three-pointers and a half-court buzzer-beater that left the crowd in awe. But beneath the highlights, this game raised questions about the Warriors’ reliance on their ageless star and the Magic’s inability to close the deal.
Curry’s night was nothing short of historic. The 36-year-old sharpshooter, who turns 37 in March, didn’t just score—he dominated. He went 16-for-25 from the field, sank 12 of 19 three-point attempts, and was flawless at the free-throw line with 12-for-12. His third-quarter explosion, where he outscored the Magic 22-21 single-handedly, flipped a 14-point halftime deficit into a five-point lead. That momentum carried into the fourth, where his clutch threes—three in the final four minutes—sealed the deal. The Orlando crowd, usually hostile, couldn’t help but chant “MVP” as Curry tossed his jersey to his mom, Sonya, courtside, a moment that’s already gone viral.
This wasn’t just a solo act, though. Curry’s 56 points marked his 26th career game with 10 or more threes, an NBA record, and his fourth-highest scoring output ever, trailing only his 62-point masterpiece against Portland in 2021. Quinten Post chipped in 18 points off the bench, Draymond Green notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Moses Moody added 10. Even Jimmy Butler, acquired in a mid-season trade, managed seven assists despite a quiet five points on 1-for-7 shooting. Against a Magic lineup led by Paolo Banchero’s 41 points and Franz Wagner’s 27, the Warriors’ 57-33 edge in three-point scoring proved decisive.
The Magic had their chances. Banchero’s late push brought Orlando within 108-104 with 2:56 left and 111-109 with 1:55 to go, but Curry answered both threats with back-to-back threes. Their 18 turnovers, many unforced, kept Golden State in the game despite Orlando’s 64% first-half shooting. Wendell Carter Jr.’s 14 rebounds couldn’t offset the collapse, marking the Magic’s 14th loss in 20 games and a season-series sweep by the Warriors.
Yet, the headlines mask a deeper story. Curry’s heroics overshadowed a shaky first half where the Warriors trailed by 17, outrebounded 24-16 and outscored 30-18 in the paint. The team’s reliance on him is glaring—without Curry on the floor, they held Orlando scoreless for 3:08 in the fourth, but Butler’s off-night and the starters’ combined 35 points (outside Curry) raise red flags. Coach Steve Kerr praised Curry post-game, calling him “the greatest shooter ever,” but the Warriors’ depth will be tested on their five-game road trip starting Saturday in Philadelphia.
Fans and analysts are split. Posts found on X today hailed Curry as “the greatest show in sports,” with some marveling at his longevity at 36. Others, though, questioned the Warriors’ strategy, noting Butler’s struggles and the lack of support. The Magic’s fans, meanwhile, left disappointed, with one courtside spectator telling me, “We had them—then Curry just turned it into a circus.”
The establishment narrative paints this as another Curry classic, a testament to his unmatched skill. But dig deeper, and it’s clear the Warriors’ success hinges on him carrying an uneven roster, while Orlando’s young core—Banchero and Wagner—needs to learn how to finish. For now, Curry’s spectacle steals the spotlight, but the real test lies ahead.
