ORLANDO — Steph Curry treated the Thursday crowd inside Kia Center to another unforgettable show — and the Golden State Warriors to another victory.
His all-time greatness remains intact.
Behind 56 points, 12 3-pointers and his spellbinding sense of showmanship, Curry keyed Golden State’s fifth straight victory: a 121-115 win over the Orlando Magic. His scoring output was a season-high, backed by a first-half buzzer beater from beyond halfcourt and a 22-point third quarter that prompted cheers from spectators when he went to the bench.
Curry has 26 career games with 10 triples and 14 career 50-point games.
Quinten Post came off Golden State’s bench — though he started the third quarter to match Orlando’s size — to score 18 on 7-of-8 shooting. The Warriors (32-27) have won seven of eight since adding Jimmy Butler, securing a tie for seventh place in the Western Conference.
Paolo Banchero scored 24 of his 41 points in the first half for the Magic, shooting 6-of-15 in the second half opposite Draymond Green, Golden State’s starting small-ball center whom Post bumped to power forward.
The Warriors boasted the top-ranked defense in the seven games since Butler’s debut, but they couldn’t contain Orlando’s 28th-rated offense in the first half en route to a 66-52 halftime deficit. The Magic outsized Golden State’s small-ball lineup with height and length across their lineup, winning the backboards 46-38 and points in the paint 56-30.
A powerful forward with passing chops, Banchero bullied his way to the basket for 10-of-12 shooting in the first half. No matter his defender — and the Warriors tried everyone tried everyone — Banchero bulldozed his way into the to finish at the basket or kick to shooters.
Orlando (29-32) made 7 of 14 first-half 3-pointers despite ranking last league wide in 3-point shooting.
Curry scored 21 first-half points, including five 3-pointers and a halfcourt buzzer-beater. Golden State’s other starters combined to shoot 4 of 19 against Orlando’s second-rated defense.
Then, the second half began.
By replacing Moses Moody with floor-spacing big man Post, the Warriors positioned Green at power forward opposite Banchero. Post opened Golden State’s offense with two triples and two layups before ceding the court to Curry.
With each third-quarter triple — and he made four — the crowd inside Kia Center crescendoed with applause. He danced with his dribble for two mid-range jumpers, keying a 19-point third-quarter swing.
Moody beat the third-quarter buzzer with a corner 3-pointer for a 92-87 lead. A six-point burst from Post helped the Warriors secure a 13-point lead they’d successfully nurse. Green (12 points, 10 rebounds, four assists) keyed a cohesive defensive effort — including a timely block by Gary Payton II in the closing minute — that led to 18 turnovers for the Magic.
During a fourth-quarter trip to the free-throw line, Curry was showered with “MVP” chants.
Golden State continues its five-game trip Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Franz Wagner added 27 points for Orlando.
