NBA

Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics

· National Basketball Association
11-20, 3-11 Away
Final
95 - 92

22-9, 11-4 Home

Banchero scores 31 as Magic win second straight in Boston

Nice shot from Grant Williams Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic

Franz Wagner added 12 points and Bol Bol had 11 with eight rebounds for Orlando, which was 1-11 on the road before its two straight wins over the Celtics at TD Garden.

It extended the Magic's winning streak to six games, their longest since March 2019.

“It means a lot to come out in this environment and get two straight wins against that team, a great team,” Banchero said. “I think it means a lot for our confidence going forward. We know we can compete against anybody. We just have to keep the same level of focus.”

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 24 points, Marcus Smart had 15 and Grant Williams 14.

“We just have to come in right off the gate with high energy," Smart said. “We come in all sluggish and then try to wake up, that's when we get ourselves in trouble. It's going to happen. We understand it. You're going to have game's like that.”

Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum missed the game due to personal reasons. The 24-year-old is the team’s leading scorer (30.2 points) and rebounder (8.2), and fifth in the league in scoring.

Boston center Robert Williams III played his second straight game after missing the first 29 following left knee surgery in September. He had six points and five rebounds in 17 minutes.

The Celtics hit 12-of-47 on 3-point attempts.

“I like the shots we got and, nah, you don't adjust your approach,” Boston's interim coach Joe Mazzulla said.

With Boston trailing 93-92, Smart stole the inbounds pass and went to the floor, calling timeout with 9.8 seconds to play before the Celtics turned it over on the other end.

Moritz Wagner sank two free throws with 5.3 seconds left before Grant Williams front-rimmed a 3-point attempt from the left corner.

Grant Williams had a put-back and was fouled, hitting the free throw that gave Boston a one-point edge with just under four minutes left, but Banchero nailed a 3 on the Magic’s next possession and they never trailed again.

“They're believing and they're understanding that they're doing it by committee,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. “That's who this team has to be: Gritty, tough and fighting for one another.”

Boston had sliced it to 93-92 on Malcom Brogdon’s 3 but Markelle Fultz snatched the rebound on Banchero’s miss and Orlando called timeout.

Boston lost Friday’s game 117-109.

LUKEWARM WELCOME

Stuff the Magic Dragon, Orlando’s mascot, was part of a group from around sports that was on hand for Kids’ Day. It received a spattering of boos when shown on the Jumbotron.

TIP-INS

Magic: It was Banchero’s seventh straight game with 20 points or more and his 19th this season. … Recalled R.J. Hampton from their NBA G League affiliate. … In a somewhat slow-paced, lackluster opening half, the Magic held a 50-41 lead at intermission.

Celtics: Center Al Horford was fined $25,000 by the league for making what it called “unnecessary and excessive contact” to the lower body of Magic center Moritz Wagner during Friday’s loss. … Missed 18 of their initial 21 on 3-point attempts and went just 5-of-24 in the opening half. … Brown picked up his second foul without time going off the clock, when he was whistled before the ball was inbounded after being called for his first.

UP NEXT

Magic: At the Hawks Monday in the third of a four-game trip.

Celtics: Host the Pacers Wednesday in their third of a seven-game homestand. They don’t play on the road again until 2023.

Regular Season Series

ORL leads series 2-1

Recent Plays

4th 0.0 End of Game 95 - 92
4th 0.0 End of the 4th Quarter 95 - 92
4th 0.1 Magic defensive team rebound 95 - 92
4th 3.0 Grant Williams misses 26-foot three point jumper 95 - 92
4th 5.1 Celtics Full timeout 95 - 92

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/orl.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originORL https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/bos.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originBOS
33-86 FG 31-89
38 Field Goal % 35
12-29 3PT 12-47
41 Three Point % 26
17-19 FT 18-21
89 Free Throw % 86
46 Rebounds 54
6 Offensive Rebounds 11
40 Defensive Rebounds 43
20 Assists 22
9 Steals 7
3 Blocks 7
13 Turnovers 16
0 Team Turnovers 1
13 Total Turnovers 17
0 Technical Fouls 0
0 Total Technical Fouls 0
0 Flagrant Fouls 0
8 Points Conceded Off Turnovers 13
9 Fast Break Points 20
32 Points in Paint 34
18 Fouls 17
10 Largest Lead 4
Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Jayson Tatum, F Out May 2
Orlando Magic Orlando Magic Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Jonathan Isaac, F Out May 3
Franz Wagner, F Out May 2

Game Information

TD Garden

Location: Boston, MA
Attendance: 19,156 · Capacity:

2025-26 Southeast Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Atlanta 46 36 .561 - L1
Orlando 45 37 .549 1 L1
Charlotte 44 38 .537 2 W1
Miami 43 39 .524 3 W2
Washington 17 65 .207 29 L10

2025-26 Atlantic Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Boston 56 26 .683 - W2
New York 53 29 .646 3 L1
Toronto 46 36 .561 10 W1
Philadelphia 45 37 .549 11 W2
Brooklyn 20 62 .244 36 L3
Full Standings

NBA News

David Fizdale hired to coach Nigeria men's basketball team

David Fizdale hired to coach Nigeria men's basketball team

Former NBA coach David Fizdale has been hired as the new Nigeria men's basketball coach, with aspirations of leading the country to the 2028 Olympics in his hometown of Los Angeles, he told ESPN Andscape on Friday.

VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey shine early; Mitchell Robinson puts Joel Embiid on poster

VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey shine early; Mitchell Robinson puts Joel Embiid on poster

Maxey and Edgecombe ignited the Sixers early, but Mitchell Robinson answered with a second-quarter poster on Joel Embiid.

Josh Kroenke backs David Adelman; roster changes on table

Josh Kroenke backs David Adelman; roster changes on table

Nuggets governor Josh Kroenke backed first-year coach David Adelman after a disappointing first-round exit but said changes to the roster could be on the table.

Joel Embiid back for Sixers; OG Anunoby out for Knicks

Joel Embiid back for Sixers; OG Anunoby out for Knicks

The 76ers got star center Joel Embiid back for Game 3 in Philadelphia, while the Knicks will be without key forward OG Anunoby.

Mitch Widmeier shares bond with sister Hannah calling Knicks games

Mitch Widmeier shares bond with sister Hannah calling Knicks games

Mitch Widmeier shares his journey calling play-by-play during Knicks games for his sister Hannah, following her traumatic brain injury.