The Golden State Warriors pulled off a gritty 104-99 win against the Orlando Magic on February 3, 2025, in front of a roaring home crowd at the Chase Center. This game had everything—momentum swings, clutch performances, and a tense finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
First Half: Magic Start Strong
The Magic came out firing, quickly taking control of the game. Cole Anthony was electric off the bench, leading the charge with 26 points. Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero added 21 and 18 points, respectively, helping Orlando build an 11-point lead at halftime. Their defense was rock-solid, frustrating the Warriors’ offense and holding them to just 43 points in the first two quarters.
Third Quarter: Warriors Fight Back
After a tough first half, the Warriors flipped the script in the third quarter. Andrew Wiggins stepped up in a big way, finishing with a team-high 25 points. Stephen Curry, who struggled early and missed his first seven three-pointers, finally found his rhythm. The Warriors erupted for 39 points in the third quarter, completely turning the game around and going from a 15-point deficit to a 15-point lead heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: A Nail-Biting Finish
The Magic weren’t going down without a fight. They clawed their way back, tying the game at 90-90 with just a few minutes left. But when it mattered most, the Warriors delivered. A key six-point run featuring clutch buckets from Wiggins, Kevon Looney, and Draymond Green gave them the edge.
Moses Moody, who had a fantastic game off the bench with 17 points, nailed a crucial three-pointer with just over a minute remaining, pushing the Warriors ahead 99-94. The Magic responded with a late three-pointer from Anthony to keep things close, but Curry iced the game with two free throws in the final seconds.
Key Performances
Warriors:
- Andrew Wiggins: 25 points
- Stephen Curry: 24 points (including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line)
- Moses Moody: 17 points, including a clutch three-pointer
- Kevon Looney: 15 rebounds, 6 assists
Magic:
- Cole Anthony: 26 points off the bench
- Franz Wagner: 21 points
- Paolo Banchero: 18 points
- Goga Bitadze: 14 rebounds
Final Thoughts
This was a statement win for the Warriors, who improved to 25-24 on the season. Even though Curry struggled from three (just 2-for-12), his leadership and clutch free throws made the difference. Wiggins and Moody also stepped up big-time when the team needed them.
For the Magic, it was a tough loss—especially after leading for most of the game. They’ve now dropped four in a row, and their struggles from deep (only 25% from three) continue to hurt them. Despite strong individual performances, they’ll need to find more consistency to turn close games like this into wins.
Overall, this game was a thrilling battle, showing why both teams have plenty of fight in them. The Warriors’ ability to overcome adversity and finish strong made all the difference, while the Magic showed they can compete but need to close out games better.