Jamahl Mosley, Paolo Banchero Reflect on Tough Loss to Warriors and Curry’s 56-Point Explosion

The game between the Orlando Magic and the Golden State Warriors on February 27, 2025, turned into one of those memorable nights that basketball fans will talk about for years to come. Stephen Curry put on a show for the ages, scoring a career-high 56 points and leading the Warriors to a commanding victory over the Magic. The performance left fans in awe and solidified Curry’s status as one of the most electrifying players in NBA history. However, for the Orlando Magic, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, even as their young star Paolo Banchero continued to develop into a potential future face of the franchise.

After the game, Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley and rookie standout Paolo Banchero reflected on the defeat, Curry’s incredible individual performance, and the lessons that could be learned from the loss. Both Mosley and Banchero offered insights into how the Magic approached the game, how they tried to contain Curry, and what they will take away from the game to improve moving forward. While the result was disappointing, it was also a chance for both the team and its fans to see firsthand what makes a player like Curry truly special and how Orlando can use this experience to continue growing.

The Game: Warriors 118, Magic 103

The game unfolded in dramatic fashion, with Stephen Curry dominating from the opening tip. The Warriors were hot early on, and Curry’s scoring was the engine that drove the team. Despite a valiant effort from the Magic, especially from their rising star Paolo Banchero, the Warriors were too much to handle on this night. Curry’s 56-point performance included a barrage of threes, as well as mid-range jumpers and a few electrifying drives to the basket that left defenders and fans alike in disbelief.

Curry’s 56 points came on an efficient 19-of-30 shooting, including 10-of-17 from beyond the arc. He was unstoppable, even with multiple defenders trying to contain him. Orlando simply had no answer for Curry’s explosive offense, as he pulled up from deep, ran off screens, and hit shots in transition. In the fourth quarter, as the Warriors pulled away, Curry put on a finishing clinic, scoring 20 of his 56 points during that final period.

For the Magic, Banchero had another solid performance, leading Orlando with 26 points and contributing in several areas, including rebounds and assists. The young star showed glimpses of why he is one of the top rookie players in the league, but it was clear that on this night, Curry’s brilliance was too much to overcome.

Jamahl Mosley: Reflections on the Loss

After the game, Jamahl Mosley, the head coach of the Orlando Magic, addressed the media and offered candid thoughts on the loss to the Warriors. While he acknowledged the tough defeat, Mosley also stressed the importance of keeping perspective and using the experience as a learning opportunity.

“It’s tough. It’s always tough when you lose, especially when you’re playing against a player like Stephen Curry,” Mosley said. “But we have to understand that these are the moments that help us grow. As a team, we’re still learning how to handle these kinds of games, and we’ve got to use this as motivation to improve moving forward. Curry’s a special player. Tonight, he showed why he’s one of the greatest to ever play the game. We have to give him credit for his performance. But at the same time, we have to look at what we could’ve done better as a team defensively and offensively.”

Mosley’s message was one of optimism, despite the defeat. As a coach who has worked with young teams before, Mosley understands that learning how to win—and more importantly, how to respond to difficult losses—is part of the process. He went on to discuss how his team’s defense struggled against Curry’s perimeter shooting and off-the-dribble scoring.

“We made some mistakes defensively that allowed Curry to get open looks,” Mosley continued. “We also have to do a better job of containing the paint. When you give up those kinds of easy looks, it’s hard to recover, especially when a guy is as hot as Curry was tonight. We’ll get better at that. We just have to keep learning and keep working on those details. Our defense has been much better this season, and we’ll build off of this loss.”

Mosley also praised the team’s effort, noting that despite the lopsided score, the Magic showed resilience throughout the game. He pointed to the team’s ability to fight back in the third quarter, where they trimmed the lead down, as a sign that they were not intimidated by the Warriors or Curry’s scoring outburst.

“We showed some fight. We came out in the second half and tried to make a push,” Mosley explained. “That’s a good sign for us. We’re not there yet, but we’re starting to see the kind of effort and mentality that’s going to be needed as we continue to improve. We’ll take this loss and use it as fuel to get better. We know what we’re up against in this league, and we’ll use this experience to our advantage.”

While the loss was disappointing, Mosley remained focused on the long-term development of the team, stressing that it was not about one game but about continued improvement over the course of the season.

Paolo Banchero: A Bright Future Despite the Loss

For Paolo Banchero, the tough loss to the Warriors was a learning experience, especially going up against a player like Curry, who has dominated the league for over a decade. The rookie forward, who has been one of the brightest young stars in the league this season, spoke candidly about the game and Curry’s incredible performance after the final buzzer.

“It’s tough, for sure. We wanted to get this win, but at the same time, you have to give credit where credit’s due,” Banchero said. “Curry is one of the best players to ever play the game, and tonight he was on another level. When a guy like that gets hot, it’s hard to stop him. We did our best, but he was just making everything. That’s the kind of player we’re going up against in this league, and it’s a good reminder of the level we need to reach as a team.”

Banchero also discussed his own performance, noting that while he scored 26 points, he felt there were areas where he could improve to better help his team in future games.

“I felt like I played alright,” Banchero said. “But I can always do more. I’ve got to do a better job of being more aggressive and getting my teammates involved, especially when we’re trying to fight back. I’ll learn from this game. It’s part of the process. I’ve got to keep working, stay patient, and trust that this team will grow together.”

Despite the loss, Banchero’s maturity and perspective were evident in his comments. He has quickly become the leader of the Orlando Magic, and his ability to stay grounded after a tough loss shows his growth both as a player and as a leader. His understanding of the game and his willingness to learn from experiences like this will be crucial as he continues to develop his skills.

Banchero also highlighted the challenge of playing against the Warriors’ high-powered offense, which has been a hallmark of their success over the years.

“They’re a really good team,” Banchero said. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy coming into this game. They’re experienced, and they have guys who know how to execute. But that’s what we need to get better at—being able to execute in big moments and finding ways to get stops when we need them. We’ll learn from this and continue to build on it. We’ve got a long way to go, but I’m confident that we’re heading in the right direction.”

The Silver Lining: Growth and Development for the Magic

While the loss was tough for the Orlando Magic, both Jamahl Mosley and Paolo Banchero saw it as a valuable opportunity for growth. Playing against a player of Curry’s caliber and a team with as much experience as the Warriors gives the Magic a chance to gauge where they stand in their development. It also serves as a reminder of the level of play required to compete consistently in the NBA, especially in the face of an individual performance like Curry’s.

The Magic have been one of the most exciting young teams in the league, with players like Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs showing significant promise. With Mosley’s guidance, this young group is learning how to compete at the highest level, and games like this one—though frustrating—provide valuable lessons for the future.

In the long run, this loss will be seen as just one step in the Magic’s journey. While they came up short against a red-hot Curry, the team’s resilience and the leadership of their young star will help them continue to improve. With time, the Magic will find a way to compete against teams like the Warriors and replicate the moments of brilliance shown by players like Stephen Curry.

The Orlando Magic’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, despite Curry’s spectacular 56-point performance, was more than just a game to forget. For Jamahl Mosley and Paolo Banchero, it was a valuable learning experience that highlighted both the challenges of competing against the NBA’s elite and the growth opportunities for the Magic as a team. While Curry’s brilliance overshadowed the game, the Magic’s efforts should not be overlooked, and they will undoubtedly use this loss as fuel to improve in future contests. For Banchero, this game will be another step in his development as he continues to take on bigger responsibilities and lead Orlando toward a brighter future.