Not even another magical Steph Curry performance at Orlando’s Kia Center was enough Tuesday to propel the Warriors to a fourth consecutive victory.
After scoring 56 points on the Magic in his last visit to Orlando in February, Steph Curry scored 22 of his 34 points in the first half. It moved him to No. 22 on the all-time scoring list, surpassing Vince Carter (25,728). But that was not enough as the Magic won 121-113, snapping the Warriors’ winning streak at three games.
“We just didn’t have some plays we didn’t convert, and some timely turnovers where they scored on the other end,” Kerr told reporters. “I loved the effort and guys gave everything they had.”
Playing their 17th game in 28 days, Golden State faced an Orlando squad that was missing star Paolo Banchero (groin), who was sidelined for a third game in a row.
Missing their All-Star did not seem to have any adverse effect on the Orlando offense. Led by Franz Wagner (18 points), the Magic got whatever shot they wanted inside, scoring 64 in the paint while also shooting 29 free throws and running free for 28 transition points off 18 Warriors turnovers.
Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors posts up Tyus Jones #2 of the Orlando Magic in the first half during a game at Kia Center on Nov. 18, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
For the Warriors (9-7), Jimmy Butler scored 33 and made 13 free throws while Draymond Green scored 12 and also registered his 900th career block. Bane led the Magic with 23 point as all five Orlando starters scored in double figures. Reserve Anthony Black scored 21 point.
The Warriors played a zone with Green inside and Gary Payton II roaming in the middle midway through the second quarter, helping spur a run that cut a 15-point deficit to just 67-60 at halftime. After surrendering a 6-0 run begin the second half, the Warriors cut it back to a five-point deficit with a 10-2 run of their own.
The Warriors remained within striking distance throughout the second half, getting within five early in the fourth, but could never quite find the final push. Things got chippy in the final period when Brandin Podziemski and Bane exchanged words and had to be separated during a timeout. Later, Butler and Jalen Suggs were involved in multiple faceoffs and hard fouls.
The Magic pulled away after that.
Golden State was coming off three consecutive victories – two in San Antonio and one in New Orleans – as it entered the fifth game of a six-game road trip. The Warriors will play in Miami on Wednesday in the second game of a back-to-back.
Richard gets his ring
Will Richard has been a pleasant surprise as a second-round rookie, earning a spot in the starting lineup while averaging 9.4 points per game as a 3-and-D standout who has a knack for cutting.
But on Tuesday night, Richard was the one being surprised. Florida Gators coach – and former University of San Francisco coach – Todd Golden popped into the team’s hotel and gave his onetime player his NCAA championship ring.
“It was great to be able to celebrate his and the Gators’ accomplishment with (Ex-Gator) Al (Horford) sitting there and coach Golden sitting there,” Kerr said.
Richard was the starting shooting guard on a Florida Gators team that won two games at Chase Center as part of a Gators team that won it all.
Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors posts up Tyus Jones #2 of the Orlando Magic in the first half during a game at Kia Center on Nov. 18, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Short-handed Warriors … perhaps
The Warriors are expected to rest multiple stars during tomorrow’s game in Miami. Al Horford, who will not play in any back-to-backs this season, came off the bench in Orlando.
During other, recent press conferences, Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed a desire to give the older vets Curry, Butler and Green a day off during the road trip.
Because all of the veterans played in each of the previous games away from the Bay Area, the second night of a back-to-back in Miami is a logical time to sit the stars. Curry, Butler and Green all played over 30 minutes in Orlando.
“We’ve got to talk to our performance staff, and then we’ll determine what we’ll do,” Kerr said.
Jonathan Kuminga, who has now missed the last two and a half games, remained day to day.
Warriors assistant a coaching candidate
The Valkyries might not the only Golden State team that is picked off by other teams in search of great basketball minds. The New York reported that longtime Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco is a candidate for the New York Liberty’s open coaching position.
DeMarco, who has been with the Warriors organization for 14 years, is also the head coach the Bahamas’ men’s national team. The Liberty won the 2024 WNBA finals, but lost in the first round of the 2025 postseason to the Mercury and fired their coach Sandy Brondello. Brondello was later picked as the coach of the expansion Toronto Tempo.
