Magic Opens NBA Cup Play with Win Over Celtics
The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 123–110 on Friday night in their NBA Cup opener, marking a strong start to the in-season tournament.
Game Highlights
- Franz Wagner led Orlando with 27 points.
- Desmond Bane added 22 points and seven assists.
- Jaylen Brown topped the Celtics with 32 points, while Payton Pritchard scored 27 and Derrick White recorded 16 points with 10 assists.
- Paolo Banchero contributed 15 points and nine rebounds for the Magic.
Key Moments
The Magic pulled ahead early in the first quarter with a 20–2 surge powered by 3-pointers from Wagner, Tristan da Silva, and Anthony Black, building a 16-point advantage — their largest of the game.
Boston fought back to even the score in the second half and briefly took the lead 96–95 after Brown’s midrange jumper midway through the fourth quarter.
Orlando responded with another burst — Wagner, Bane, and Wendell Carter Jr. (18 points, five rebounds) each sank key 3-pointers during a 17–4 run that sealed the victory.
Player Performances
Brown scored 14 consecutive points for Boston before resting late in the third quarter. Anfernee Simons added 11 timely points early in the final frame to keep Boston competitive until the closing minutes.
Shooting Stats
- Orlando shot 50% from the field and connected on 17 of 36 (47.2%) from beyond the arc.
- Boston went 13 for 37 (35%) from three-point range.
Group Standing Context
Both teams are part of East Group B in the NBA’s in-season tournament, alongside Brooklyn, Detroit, and Philadelphia. This matchup was their first since Boston knocked out Orlando in a five-game playoff series back in April.
“Orlando came ready to play," said one analyst. "They looked composed and confident, especially from deep.”
Author’s Summary: Orlando dominated both early and late to secure a decisive win over Boston, demonstrating their strong form in the NBA Cup’s opening round.