Stephen Curry delivered another MVP-caliber performance Saturday night, scoring 41 points on 13-of-19 shooting as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Orlando Magic 126–119 in overtime.
Golden State extended its winning streak to seven games, but this was anything but comfortable. Orlando forced overtime at 110–110, and the Warriors needed one final push to finish the job.
Curry added six rebounds and six assists, knocked down five three-pointers, and went a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line. Franz Wagner led Orlando with 30 points and 11 assists.
The most remarkable part? Orlando grabbed 24 offensive rebounds to Golden State’s three, yet the Warriors still found a way to win.
First Quarter: Golden State Starts Fast
The Warriors wasted little time taking control. Curry opened the scoring with a layup, while Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg helped Golden State establish an early lead.
Curry connected from three to make it 13–7, and Golden State’s bench kept the pressure on. Georges Niang and De’Anthony Melton each knocked down a three-pointer as the Warriors built a double-digit advantage.
Orlando struggled to find its rhythm offensively, with Franz Wagner providing much of its early scoring.
Second Quarter: Warriors Take a 16-Point Lead Into Halftime
Golden State continued to control the game, although Orlando began finding some success through Wagner and its supporting cast.
Jevon Carter hit consecutive three-pointers to help the Magic cut into the deficit, but the Warriors responded. Lendeborg scored inside, Curry knocked down a step-back jumper, and Podziemski connected from beyond the arc.
Curry then buried a three-pointer in the closing seconds, sending Golden State into halftime ahead 57–41.
At that point, the Warriors appeared to be heading toward a comfortable seventh consecutive victory.
Third Quarter: Orlando Fights Back
The Magic had other ideas.
Orlando came out of halftime with much better energy, attacking the basket and forcing Golden State into mistakes. Anthony Black scored inside, Wendell Carter Jr. converted an and-one opportunity, and Wagner knocked down a three-pointer to reduce the deficit.
Carter also connected from beyond the arc as Orlando steadily worked its way back into the game.
Golden State’s offense slowed considerably compared with the first half, giving the Magic an opportunity to turn what had been a one-sided contest into a competitive finish.
Fourth Quarter: Curry and Orlando Trade Big Shots
The final minutes produced some of the night’s best basketball.
With Golden State trailing 100–98, Curry scored on a cutting layup to tie the game. He followed with a three-pointer off a Draymond Green assist to put the Warriors ahead 103–100.
Orlando answered immediately. Tristan da Silva knocked down a three-pointer to tie the score at 103, but Curry responded with another three to restore Golden State’s advantage.
Wendell Carter Jr. then hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 106 with 50 seconds remaining.
Curry drew a foul and made both free throws, putting Golden State back in front 108–106. However, Wagner answered with a driving floater to tie the game again.
Neither team could settle the contest in regulation, and the game headed to overtime tied at 110–110.
Overtime: Warriors Finish the Job
After surrendering their commanding first-half lead, the Warriors still had enough left to secure the victory.
Golden State outscored Orlando 16–9 in overtime, pulling away for a 126–119 win and extending its winning streak to seven games.
Curry finished with 41 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Lendeborg contributed 23 points and eight rebounds, while Podziemski added 15 points.
Draymond Green scored just two points but played an important role as a facilitator, finishing with 13 assists.
For Orlando, Wagner recorded 30 points and 11 assists. Carter added 19 points and 11 rebounds, while da Silva scored 19.
Orlando Dominates the Glass but Still Loses
One of the strangest aspects of this game was the rebounding battle.
Orlando collected 24 offensive rebounds compared with just three for Golden State, producing a massive 33–2 advantage in second-chance points.
The Magic also attempted 113 field goals compared with Golden State’s 80.
Yet the Warriors were significantly more efficient, shooting 54% from the field compared with Orlando’s 38%. Golden State also made 25 free throws compared with Orlando’s 15.
Those differences helped the Warriors survive despite giving Orlando so many extra opportunities.
Final Thoughts: Curry Is Making an Early MVP Statement
The biggest takeaway from Saturday’s game is simple: Stephen Curry is playing like an MVP candidate.
His 41 points came on outstanding efficiency, and he repeatedly delivered when Golden State needed a basket during the fourth quarter.
If MVP voting took place today, Curry would deserve serious consideration. The Warriors have now won seven consecutive games after starting the season 0–3, and their star point guard remains at the center of that turnaround.
Golden State improves to 7–3, while Orlando falls to 2–7.
The Warriors certainly made this one harder than it needed to be, but good teams find ways to win even when things go wrong.
Saturday night, Curry made sure Golden State’s winning streak survived.
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