Magic reverse roles on visiting Celtics for 123-110 victory

Magic Reverse Roles on Visiting Celtics for 123-110 Victory

Franz Wagner scored 27 points and was one of seven Magic players reaching double figures as Orlando defeated Boston 123-110. The Celtics struggled offensively down the stretch in this NBA Cup matchup.

Background of the Rivalry

Last spring, the Celtics and Magic faced off in a physical first-round playoff series. Although Boston won in five games, the intense play appeared to take a toll on the Celtics, who were eliminated by the Knicks in the next round.

Changes Since Last Season

The Magic added Desmond Bane to improve their offense.
The Celtics, once dominant, now sometimes take on an underdog role by playing scrappy defense.

Game Highlights

The Magic got off to a hot start, shooting a season-best 17 of 36 from beyond the arc. Despite the Celtics overcoming an early 16-point deficit and briefly regaining the lead early in the fourth quarter, they faltered late as Orlando scored 39 points in the final period.

“I didn’t feel like we got out-physicaled,” said Payton Pritchard, who contributed 27 points for Boston.

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 32 points and nine rebounds, but it was not enough to stave off the Magic’s balanced attack.

Season Impact

This game demonstrated the Magic’s growing ability to challenge the Celtics and showcased their improved offensive firepower, signaling a shift in team dynamics since their last playoff meeting.

Author’s summary: The Orlando Magic's strong shooting and balanced scoring overcame the Celtics’ early rally, illustrating a shifting balance between the teams since their intense playoff clash last season.

The Boston Globe — 2025-11-08