Warriors Flip the Script Inside, Dominate Magic in Statement Win
For a team that’s lived and died by the three for the better part of a decade, the Golden State Warriors found a different way to win Monday night - and it came from a place they’ve rarely leaned on this season: the paint.
Coming into the matchup dead last in the league in points in the paint, Golden State turned that weakness into a strength, pounding the Orlando Magic inside on their way to a commanding 120-97 win at Chase Center. It wasn’t just a bounce-back performance - it was a blueprint for how this team can win even when the shots aren’t falling.
A Late Surge Turns Tight Game Into Blowout
Don’t let the final score fool you - this one was tight through three quarters. The Warriors clung to a one-point lead with under 90 seconds left in the third.
Then the floodgates opened. Golden State outscored Orlando 36-14 the rest of the way, closing the game with the kind of two-way dominance that hasn’t always been there this season.
The win marked back-to-back victories for the Warriors and brought them back to .500 through 30 games - a small but meaningful checkpoint for a team still trying to find consistency in a crowded Western Conference race.
Winning Without the Three
Golden State’s identity has long been tied to the three-point line, but on a night when the perimeter shots weren’t falling - just 3-of-18 in the first half and 11-of-37 (29.7%) overall - they found success by attacking the rim and crashing the glass.
The Warriors poured in 62 points in the paint, well above their season average of 41.3. And they did it against an Orlando squad known for its length and defensive toughness. Golden State also pulled down 14 offensive rebounds and held the Magic to just 41.4% shooting from the field - a clear sign that the effort was there on both ends.
Taking Care of the Ball, Forcing Mistakes
The Warriors have been up and down when it comes to ball security this year, but Monday night was a step in the right direction. They forced 18 Orlando turnovers while committing just 13 themselves - a stat that’ll make Steve Kerr and his staff smile. That kind of control, especially in transition, helped fuel their fourth-quarter surge and kept the Magic from ever mounting a serious comeback.
Curry Leads, But the Young Guns Shine
Stephen Curry led the way with 26 points, shaking off a slow start and a rough night from deep (4-of-13 from three). Even when the shot isn’t falling, Curry’s presence opens up everything else - and his ability to keep the pressure on Orlando’s defense was critical.
Jimmy Butler added 21 points on a hyper-efficient 7-of-9 shooting night, but the real story came from the Warriors’ young duo: Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski. The two combined for 37 points on just 21 shots, and their energy shifted the tone of the game.
Podziemski, coming off the bench, stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, four rebounds, and five assists in just over 27 minutes. His +36 plus-minus wasn’t just the best on the team - it was a reflection of how impactful he was every time he stepped on the floor.
Moody, meanwhile, delivered one of his most complete performances of the season. He dropped 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting (3-of-6 from deep), added three rebounds and three assists, and finished a strong +23 in 32 minutes. For a team looking for reliable secondary scoring, Moody’s emergence could be a difference-maker.
Post's Presence Grows in the Paint
Quinten Post didn’t light up the scoreboard - just eight points on 4-of-10 shooting - but his impact was felt in other ways. The second-year center pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds and added four assists, continuing to solidify his role as the team’s starting big man. Even with the outside shot not falling (0-for-3 from deep), Post’s activity on the glass and passing out of the high post added a new dimension to the Warriors’ offense.
Looking Ahead: Christmas Clash with Dallas
With the win, Golden State builds a little momentum heading into a marquee Christmas Day showdown against Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks. If the Warriors can bring this kind of balance - attacking the paint, defending with urgency, and getting meaningful contributions from the young core - they might just be turning a corner.
For now, though, this was a win that felt like more than just a number in the standings. It was a reminder that even in a season of ups and downs, the Warriors still have the tools - and the talent - to put it all together.