The Golden State Warriors almost coughed up a huge 16-point lead, but Steph Curry absolutely went off for 41 points to drag them to a 126-119 overtime victory against the Orlando Magic. That’s seven straight Ws for the Dubs, pushing their record to 7-3 on the season. This kind of start, 7-3 or better, has happened six other times under head coach Steve Kerr, and every single one of those seasons ended with a trip to the Finals. Just saying.
From Easy Sailing to A Full-Blown Panic
Man, it looked like the Warriors were gonna have a chill night, maybe even get Steph some fourth-quarter rest. They were cruising, up 57-41 at halftime after a straight-up offensive clinic. Golden State was hitting everything, shooting 56.4% from the field and a ridiculous 47.1% from deep. Steph, Brandin Podziemski, and Yaxel Lendeborg were lighting it up, combining for 33 points on 12-for-16 shooting. But then the Magic woke up, big time. They absolutely torched the Warriors in the third, holding them to just 20 points while dropping a monstrous 37 themselves. Franz Wagner, Tristan De Silva, and Wendell Carter Jr. were perfect from three, 5-for-5, and Anthony Black chipped in 11 points. Suddenly, Orlando had a one-point lead heading into the fourth.
The Magic kept attacking Golden State’s lack of size and athleticism, snatching up eight offensive rebounds in the fourth. Honestly, if Steph Curry hadn’t been on another planet offensively, and if Lendeborg didn’t hit some clutch buckets, the Warriors were cooked in regulation. Curry was hitting some of his toughest shots all season, with defenders draped all over him. Threes with Jamal Cain in his face, floaters over big men charging him down. Unstoppable.
Chef Curry Serves Up History
Curry finished the night with a ridiculous 41 points. And get this: he did it on an incredibly efficient 13-for-19 from the field, including 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. He also chipped in 6 rebounds and 6 assists. That 40-point performance wasn’t just clutch, it was historic. Steph passed LeBron James on the all-time list for 40+ point games for a player 35 or older. That’s insane!
But it wasn’t just the MVP doing work. Yaxel Lendeborg had a monster night with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. He did struggle a bit with 6 turnovers and 5 fouls, but man, he showed up when it counted. Brandin Podziemski also had a solid all-around game, putting up 15 points, 7 boards, and 2 steals.
Bench Power And A Familiar Feeling
Things could have gone south *real* quick in overtime, but coach Steve Kerr made a gutsy call, sitting Curry and Draymond Green for the first 90 seconds. And the bench responded! They rewarded his confidence, building a four-point lead before the stars even checked back in. Once Curry and Green returned, they never looked back. This team just keeps finding ways to win, extending their streak to seven games.
This 7-3 start for the Warriors is more than just a good record; it’s a huge statement. Every single time Kerr’s teams have started 7-3 or better, they’ve gone to the Finals. That’s six times, folks. We’re in early November, but if history is any guide, Golden State is already putting the league on notice. Keep an eye on these guys; they’re building something special.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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