Stephen Curry scored 12 unanswered points in the final 2 minutes and 21 seconds of regulation to push the Golden State Warriors past the Orlando Magic 126-119 in overtime on Saturday night at Chase Center. Curry’s 41-point performance extended the Warriors’ winning streak to seven games after a shaky 0-3 start to the season.
The Magic entered the game with just two wins and were searching for a spark against a Warriors team that jumped out to a 16-point lead early. But Orlando fought back, keeping the score close throughout the second half and forcing overtime. Warriors coach Steve Kerr admitted the second half was tough for Golden State.
“These games always scare me when people are out for the other team (with injury) because the league is filled with hungry, young, athletic players,” Kerr said. “We only got out of there alive because of Steph and then some great individual efforts by guys. We got totally outplayed that whole second half. They were amazing. 33 more field-goal attempts. It’s almost impossible to win a game, but I’m proud of our guys because they gutted it out.”
Curry’s vintage shooting display included 13-of-19 from the field, 5-of-10 on 3-pointers, and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. At 35 years old, this marked his 16th 40-point game since turning 35, the most in NBA history for a player of that age or older.
Draymond Green, who has been alongside Curry since 2012, praised the sharpshooter’s ability to deliver in clutch moments. Green singled out one shot in the third quarter when Curry was tightly guarded by Magic forward Jamal Cain. Even with pressure, Curry found space and sank a three-pointer with the shot clock winding down.
“The guy’s the greatest shooter ever played basketball,” Green said. “But I don’t know what in your mind would just tell you, oh, this guy’s pressuring me, just shoot. Right? That’s crazy. I can’t begin to process those thoughts, you know, where you’re like, gosh, right here, I’m gonna just shoot it. Most people, they do that and you look at them like, yo, what are you doing? It goes in.”
Green described how Curry’s consistency in pulling off such shots never grows old for teammates. “Down the stretch, you kind of get to a space where you just expect him to make those plays. But never try to take it for granted.”
The Warriors’ depth was on full display as every player who logged minutes contributed points. Golden State’s bench outscored Orlando’s second unit 42-31. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg led the bench with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Brandin Podziemski added 15 points and seven rebounds.
This latest victory keeps the Warriors among the NBA’s hottest teams after their early season struggles. They will look to stretch their winning streak to eight when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, Nov. 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT at the Chase Center.
According to Yahoo Sports.