Magic Opens NBA Cup Play with Win Over Celtics
The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 123-110 in their NBA Cup opener on Friday night.
Key Performances
- Franz Wagner led the Magic with 27 points.
- Desmond Bane contributed 22 points and seven assists.
- Paolo Banchero added 15 points and nine rebounds to Orlando’s effort.
- Wendell Carter Jr. scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds.
- For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown scored 32 points.
- Payton Pritchard posted 27 points, and Derrick White had 16 points with 10 assists.
- Anfernee Simons scored all 11 of his points early in the fourth quarter.
Game Highlights
Wagner, Tristan da Silva, and Anthony Black helped Orlando launch a 20-2 run, building a 16-point lead early in the first quarter—the Magic's biggest margin of the game.
Boston later rallied to tie the score in the second half and held a 96-95 lead after Brown’s jumper in the fourth quarter.
“Brown scored 14 straight points for Boston before going to the bench for a six-minute break with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter.”
However, Orlando responded with a 17-4 run powered by 3-pointers from Wagner, Bane, and Carter, securing the victory.
Context and Standings
This matchup marked their first since the Celtics eliminated the Magic in five games during a first-round playoff series in April.
Both teams are in East Group B of the NBA's in-season tournament, along with Brooklyn, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
Team Shooting Statistics
- Orlando shot 50% overall and converted 17 of 36 (47.2%) three-pointers.
- Boston shot 13 of 37 from beyond the arc (35%).
Author’s summary: The Orlando Magic overcame a strong Celtics rally with timely 3-point shooting to win their NBA Cup opener, showcasing teamwork and resilience.