Magic settle for split with visiting Celtics

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Nov 9, 2025

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After handing the Celtics a 13-point loss Friday night at Kia Center, the Orlando Magic hoped to carry their momentum into Sunday’s rematch against Boston.

Orlando, however, couldn’t put away the franchise that eliminated the Magic in last year’s postseason, and the Celtics escaped Central Florida with a 111-106 win, thanks to a team-high 27 points from All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown.

After trailing the Magic by 2 points entering the fourth quarter, the Celtics responded with an 18-5 run to open the final frame and lead 96-85 with 5:50 left in the game. Boston (5-6) put the game on ice late when Jordan Walsh (6 points) hit a corner 3 with 12.4 seconds left.

Despite 14 points from Paolo Banchero in the fourth quarter, the Magic couldn’t take care of the basketball. Boston scored 29 points off 17 turnovers, six of which were committed by Banchero (28 points).

With their first 10 games of the season in the books, the Magic (4-6) have a quick turnaround when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back Monday.

Suggs’ speedy start

Magic guard Jalen Suggs shot out of a cannon to help provide Orlando early an boost against Boston.

The fifth-year pro hit his first 3-pointer and scored six of the Magic’s first 13 points to power a 13-5 run. Suggs reached eight points by the time Boston had nine as a team.

Behind Suggs’ activity on both ends of the court, the Magic jumped out to a 21-9 lead halfway through the first quarter. The sides, however, were tied at 54 by the break.

Suggs scored five straight early in the fourth to end with 20 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists.

Rest of starters

Although Banchero didn’t take his first shot until the 4:40 mark of the first quarter and was held scoreless in the opening frame, the Magic forward made his presence felt elsewhere in the game.

Banchero picked up his third foul with less than two minutes left in the second quarter, but he couldn’t stay out of foul trouble long, earning his fourth foul almost halfway through the third frame and his fifth foul early in the fourth.

On the plus side, Banchero shot 10 of 10 from the free-throw line for the game.

Franz Wagner got out in transition early as an easy outlet scoring option. Despite totaling 20 points with nice rebounds, he struggled from 3-point range (1 for 4) throughout the night.

While the Magic are still waiting for Desmond Bane to consistently make an impact from distance, the new Orlando guard found his way to the basket, making his first three field goals in the paint. He ended with nine points alongside five rebounds and six assists.

Wendell Carter Jr. added his second triple early in the third quarter, and he reached double figures for the fifth game in a row. The Magic center ended with 12 points and also earned five fouls.

Da Silva stays solid

Magic second-year pro Tristan da Silva continued to have success hitting 3-pointers in catch-and-shoot scenarios.

It’s how he sunk two out his first three looks from distance when he scored in double figures for a third game and fifth in the last six.

Da Silva was the lone member of the Magic bench to score more than four points when he totaled 12. Boston’s bench outscored Orlando’s 50-18, largely thanks to Anfernee Simons’ outburst.

Rookie watch

Magic second-round pick Noah Penda checked into the game with 10.3 seconds left in the third quarter but didn’t see the court again.

Simons’ homecoming

Boston’s Anfernee Simons didn’t waste time scoring in front of a hometown crowd.

The 6-foot-3 guard, who spent the first seven years of his career in Portland until a trade this summer, hit five of his first six 3-point attempts to post 23 points in his eight opening minutes of action.

After completely flipping the game in favor Boston, however, Simons scored just two the rest of the way when Suggs helped defend the Celtics guard.

Remembering Adubato

The Magic held a pre-game moment of silence for former coach and radio analyst Richie Adubato, who died late last week.

Although Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said he never crossed paths with Adubato, 87, throughout his coaching career, he knows the impact the New Jersey native made on the franchise and sport.

“My heart and our condolences go out to his family,” Mosley said before the game. ‘What he’s meant to this organization, what he’s meant to the game, just his spirit, his energy, his knowledge of the game … So many things that he’s just continued to represent for decades in the game.”

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