Golden State’s night against the Orlando Magic was a tale of effort and frustration. On Tuesday, the Warriors fell 121-113, and while it wasn’t a total disaster, sloppy ball handling and a mismatch in size doomed them against a Magic squad that dominated the paint.

Let’s break down the key performances and grades from this uneven battle:

Will Richard – B
Richard delivered a quiet but competent performance: 15 minutes, 6 points, 2 assists, and a steal. He played mistake-free basketball, much like an early-career Moses Moody, but failed to leave a lasting impact. As the team juggles rotations, Richard may soon see his role reduced in favor of bigger bodies or more defensive versatility.

Jimmy Butler III – B
Butler was one of the few Warriors matching Orlando’s physicality. Playing 38 minutes, scoring 33 points, and pulling 7 rebounds, Butler thrived in the paint, drawing fouls and creating opportunities for teammates. His toughness kept the Warriors competitive every time Steph sat, but even his heroics couldn’t overcome the team’s structural issues.

Draymond Green – A
Green was a defensive anchor and floor general. Logging 31 minutes with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks, he outscored the Magic by nine points while on the court. His presence was felt on both ends, reminding fans why he remains indispensable.

Moses Moody – C-
Moody struggled to make his mark. Shooting just 2-for-6 and 1-for-4 from three, he failed to provide much offensive spark and couldn’t consistently impact the defensive end. His performance was below average, highlighting his recent inconsistency.

Steph Curry – A
Curry was sensational yet slightly erratic. With 34 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals, he orchestrated the offense and found teammates in ideal spots. Missing multiple free throws was unusual, but his court vision and scoring mastery kept the Warriors within striking distance.

Brandin Podziemski – C
Podziemski had a tough night, scoring just 5 points while struggling against Orlando’s athletic defense. He did contribute 6 rebounds but offered little else, highlighting the team’s offensive limitations beyond its stars.

Gary Payton II – C
Playing only 10 minutes, Payton couldn’t influence the game meaningfully. He shot efficiently but couldn’t counter Orlando’s physicality, finishing with the worst plus/minus on the team at -15.

Buddy Hield – D+
Hield’s 15 minutes yielded only 2 points. Struggling to find rhythm and impact the game, it was a forgettable performance.

Al Horford – B+
Horford was a rare bright spot off the bench, scoring 9 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. His defensive presence and ability to convert at the rim helped stabilize the Warriors, even if others on the bench failed to contribute.

Quinten Post – C
The young center struggled against Orlando’s athleticism, finishing with 2 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes. Limited impact on both ends highlighted the Warriors’ depth issues.

The bench overall failed to provide consistent support, leaving the burden on Curry, Butler, and Green. While those three stars delivered strong individual performances, the Warriors’ lack of size, defensive balance, and consistency doomed them against a physically dominant Magic team.

In the end, Golden State showed flashes of brilliance but fell short. It was a night to appreciate individual heroics, like Butler’s paint dominance and Curry’s orchestration, and then move on. The Warriors must tighten up their ball control, address mismatches, and get stronger bench contributions if they hope to convert these bright moments into wins.

Tuesday’s game was a reminder: even superstar nights aren’t always enough.