Key Takeaways:
- Stephen Curry amassed 18 of his 26 points in the second half as Golden State defeated Orlando 120-97
- Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists
- Moses Moody contributed 20 points for Golden State, while Brandin Podziemski posted 16 points from the bench
Second Half Revival Propels Warriors
Stephen Curry shook off a challenging first half to spearhead the Golden State Warriors’ 120-97 victory over the Orlando Magic at Chase Center on Monday. Despite nursing a sore left ankle, Curry struggled initially, missing his first six three-point attempts and starting 3 for 13 from the field. His breakthrough came in the third quarter, sinking a three-pointer with 8:20 remaining to bring Golden State within two points at 71-69. This sparked a decisive 14-4 run that shifted momentum firmly in favour of the hosts.
Next up: #NBAXmas pic.twitter.com/cN4kOAU0jh
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 23, 2025
Statistical Breakdown and Player Highlights
The two-time MVP ended the night with 26 points, hitting 10 of 23 shots, including 4 of 13 from distance. He supplemented his scoring output with six assists and collected two of Golden State’s eight steals. Moses Moody provided an important scoring boost with 20 points, and Brandin Podziemski delivered a valuable contribution from the bench, recording 16 points alongside five assists and four rebounds. Draymond Green played 18 minutes, adding nine points and seven rebounds after having been ejected early in the previous game against Phoenix.
For the Magic, Paolo Banchero stood out with a double-double of 21 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Desmond Bane also added 20 points. The fixture marked the first of two consecutive for Orlando.
| Warriors Key Players | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | 26 | 3 | 6 |
| Moses Moody | 20 | 3 | 3 |
| Brandin Podziemski | 16 | 4 | 5 |
| Draymond Green | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| Magic Key Players | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paolo Banchero | 21 | 12 | 7 |
| Desmond Bane | 20 | 4 | 3 |
Additional Notes and Team Updates
Buddy Hield, who saw his streak of 199 consecutive regular-season appearances come to an end on Saturday against the Suns, returned to the line-up and nailed a late three-pointer. Jonathan Kuminga was once again unavailable, continuing his absence due to illness. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is optimistic about Al Horford’s return on Thursday following a seven-game spell on the sidelines with right sciatic nerve irritation.
The Magic will conclude their four-game road trip with a visit to Portland on Tuesday, while the Warriors are set to host Dallas on Thursday afternoon for a Christmas Day fixture.
