NBA

Magic's Comeback Bid Falls Short Against Celtics: Three Up, Three Down

Magic's Comeback Bid Falls Short Against Celtics: Three Up, Three Down

Orlando, Fla. — The Orlando Magic suffered their fourth loss of the season on Sunday afternoon, falling to the Boston Celtics 108-97 at the Kia Center.

Despite missing two starters, the Magic remained competitive and entered the fourth quarter within striking distance. With just under four minutes remaining, Orlando trailed by only four points, but Boston closed the game on an 11-4 run to seal the victory.

Here is a breakdown of the winners and losers from the matchup.

Winners

Tristan da Silva: Da Silva continued his impressive shooting, keeping the Magic in the game for most of the afternoon. He scored a team-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. His offense off the bench has been a significant boost for the team, especially with Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Anthony Black: Black was another key offensive contributor for Orlando, though he did most of his damage at the free-throw line. His ability to draw fouls helped keep the Magic close, as he made 10 of 11 attempts from the charity stripe.

3-Point Shooting: As a team, the Magic started hot from downtown, building an early lead in the first quarter. Although they couldn't sustain it—largely due to the issues listed below—it's a positive sign. Orlando has struggled from distance over the past couple of years, so a consistent shooting performance is encouraging.

Losers

Franz Wagner: Wagner struggled with his efficiency, making just 5 of 20 shots for 14 points, though he did contribute 12 assists. The Magic could have had a better afternoon if Wagner had converted some of those misses, and he needs to shoulder more responsibility with Banchero out for a few more weeks.

Turnovers: Turnovers were the ultimate killer for Orlando. The team gave up the ball 18 times, leading to 21 points for Boston. In an 11-point loss, that disparity is decisive. While there are multiple reasons for the high turnover count—including the newness of the offensive system and the absence of a true point guard—the Magic must find a way to take better care of the basketball.

Offensive Rebounding: The Celtics attempt a high volume of three-pointers, which also gives them opportunities for offensive rebounds. Boston grabbed 14 offensive boards, resulting in 15 second-chance points, all of which were crucial to their win.

The Magic will return to action tomorrow night when they host Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and the Washington Wizards. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET inside the Kia Center. Fans can watch the game on WFTV Channel 9 or stream it on NBA League Pass or DAZN.