What Paolo Banchero and Jamahl Mosley Said Following Curry’s 56 Points and the Warriors’ Loss

On February 26, 2025, the basketball world witnessed an extraordinary performance by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors as he poured in a season-high 56 points against the Orlando Magic. Despite Curry’s individual brilliance, the Warriors fell short, losing 120-118 in a thrilling contest. Following the game, reactions from key figures, including Orlando Magic’s standout rookie Paolo Banchero and head coach Jamahl Mosley, offered unique perspectives on the matchup and Curry’s performance. This article delves into what both Banchero and Mosley had to say in the aftermath of the game, reflecting on Curry’s historic night, the Magic’s resilience, and the bigger picture of their season.

Curry’s Historic Night: A Record-Breaking Performance

Stephen Curry’s 56-point performance was an unforgettable display of scoring excellence. Curry, known for his incredible range and deep shooting ability, made 18 of 31 shots, including 10 of 18 from beyond the three-point arc. His performance came at a time when the Warriors were struggling to find consistency, and Curry’s efforts were the centerpiece of Golden State’s attempt to bounce back from a series of tough losses.

Despite Curry’s heroics, the Warriors still found themselves on the losing side of a tightly contested game, and this fact was not lost on Paolo Banchero, the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Paolo Banchero’s Reflections: Facing a Legend

After the game, Paolo Banchero shared his admiration for Curry’s performance, acknowledging that the Warriors’ superstar had taken over the game in a way only he could. “You have to give credit where it’s due,” Banchero said. “Steph is one of the greatest players to ever play the game, and when he gets going like that, it’s hard to stop. I’ve watched him for years, and to be out there on the same floor as him, it’s just special.”

Banchero’s humility was evident, and his appreciation for Curry’s skill set was apparent in his comments. “I’ve been following him since I was young, and you learn a lot just by watching. He’s changed the game, and tonight, he showed exactly why. He’s got that confidence where every shot looks like it’s going in, and that’s dangerous for any defense.”

However, Banchero also made it clear that despite Curry’s heroics, the Magic weren’t intimidated. Orlando managed to stay close throughout the game, showing resilience and determination. Banchero contributed 22 points and 9 rebounds, putting together a solid performance that reflected his growth as the franchise player for the Magic.

“We stayed composed, even when they made big runs. We knew it was going to take a team effort to get this win, and we didn’t shy away from that challenge,” Banchero said. “We knew we had to match their intensity, especially with Steph playing at that level. But we stayed locked in and found a way to get it done.”

Banchero’s confidence in his team was evident as he reflected on the team’s performance in closing out the game. Despite Curry’s scoring outburst, the Magic were able to secure a crucial defensive stop in the final moments, holding the Warriors to a missed three-pointer from Curry as time expired. The Magic’s defense in the final possession was a key point of pride for Banchero, who noted how important it was for them to execute down the stretch.

“Defense wins games. We knew that stopping Steph on the final play was going to be tough, but we had to trust our defense. That was the biggest play of the game, and we all bought into the idea that as a team, we had to make sure we got the stop,” Banchero explained.

Jamahl Mosley’s Take: Teamwork Over Individual Brilliance

While Banchero’s words highlighted the personal growth and the sense of pride the Magic felt after the win, head coach Jamahl Mosley offered a more strategic perspective on the team’s performance. Mosley, who has been credited with fostering a culture of accountability and development in Orlando, acknowledged the challenge posed by Curry’s offensive explosion but stressed the importance of the Magic’s collective effort in securing the win.

“I don’t think you can ever really stop Steph,” Mosley began, “You just have to try to contain him, make him work for every shot. But he’s a generational talent, and he’s going to hit tough shots. The key for us was staying connected as a team and sticking to our game plan, regardless of what he was doing.”

Mosley continued to elaborate on how the Magic defense, while not perfect, was able to wear down Curry over the course of the game. “We did a better job in the second half of not letting him get clean looks. We made sure he didn’t have a rhythm, and we forced him into tough shots. But again, he’s one of the best to ever do it, and there’s only so much you can do when he’s in that kind of zone.”

The Magic’s defensive philosophy was evident throughout the game, with multiple players rotating on Curry and making his life difficult in terms of getting open looks. However, Mosley also credited his team for the offensive execution that helped keep the game close, despite Curry’s scoring binge.

“Our offense did a great job tonight of staying patient and running our plays. We were getting high-quality looks, and we didn’t rush things. When you’re playing against a team like Golden State, you can’t afford to take bad shots because it just plays into their hands.”

Mosley also praised his bench for stepping up during key moments, especially when the game appeared to swing in the Warriors’ favor. “The bench came in and gave us a huge boost, especially defensively. We talk about next-man-up mentality, and tonight, we saw that in action. Whether it was Jalen [Suggs] or Mo [Bamba] coming in and making an impact, everyone played a part in this win.”

One of the most important aspects of Mosley’s post-game remarks was his emphasis on the team concept, especially given the individual brilliance of Curry. The victory, he noted, was a testament to the team’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity.

Banchero’s Growth as a Leader

In the aftermath of the win, Banchero’s leadership continued to shine through. His ability to stay focused and lead by example, both on and off the court, has been one of the defining features of his young career. As the Magic’s primary star, Banchero’s role has grown throughout the season, and games like this, where he led his team to a victory against a formidable opponent like the Warriors, will only elevate his standing within the league.

“I just try to do whatever I can to help my team win,” Banchero said. “Whether it’s scoring, passing, or rebounding, I want to impact the game in as many ways as possible. We’ve got a great group here, and I know that the more we play together, the better we’ll get.”

His maturity as a player was evident when he spoke about the importance of staying calm under pressure. “We’re going to have a lot of close games this season, and we have to continue to build that poise. We’re young, but we’ve got a lot of fight in us. That’s what we showed tonight.”

The Warriors’ Loss: A Tough Pill to Swallow

While Curry’s brilliance was enough to lift the Warriors in many ways, the loss was undoubtedly a tough one for the team to accept. After the game, Curry himself was gracious in his reflections. “It’s a tough one, especially when you get that kind of performance from one guy and you still can’t get the win. But we’ve got to learn from it,” Curry said. “We’ll bounce back.”

Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr echoed similar sentiments. “Steph was incredible tonight, but it’s a team game, and we didn’t do enough collectively to get the win. We’ve got to be better as a team, and it starts with me.”