The Orlando Magic capped off an impressive West Coast swing in dramatic fashion Tuesday night, edging the Los Angeles Lakers 110-109 behind a clutch late sequence and a standout performance from Paolo Banchero.
Banchero poured in 36 points to lead Orlando, but it was Wendell Carter Jr. who delivered the decisive moment. With just 6.7 seconds remaining, Carter muscled in a go-ahead putback off an offensive rebound, giving the Magic their first lead of the final minute and sealing a gritty comeback victory.
The Lakers had one final opportunity, but LeBron James missed a contested fallaway three at the buzzer, allowing Orlando to escape with the win. The loss capped a frustrating stretch for Los Angeles, which finished a homestand spanning the All-Star break at 4-4 and has now dropped four of its last six games.
Orlando’s surge continues to build momentum. The Magic have now won six of their last eight games, including three of four on this road trip, and have beaten the Lakers four straight times. The run has pushed them to within a half-game of sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Desmond Bane added 22 points for Orlando, including a clutch go-ahead three-pointer with 34.6 seconds left. Carter finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the interior on both ends.
The game featured multiple lead changes down the stretch. After Orlando erased an early double-digit deficit and built a five-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, Rui Hachimura knocked down a tiebreaking three-pointer with 2:14 to play. Bane answered with his late triple, but Luka Dončić — who tallied 22 points and 15 assists — found James for a dunk to briefly put Los Angeles back in front before Carter’s heroics.
James and Deandre Ayton each scored 21 points for the Lakers, while Austin Reaves contributed 18 — all coming in the second half.
Despite both teams battling inconsistency — the Lakers with turnovers and the Magic struggling from beyond the arc — the contest remained tight throughout. Orlando was also without starting guard Jalen Suggs, who missed his third straight game with a back strain.
The win gives Orlando a confidence boost as they return home to host Houston on Thursday, while the Lakers will look to regroup on the road against Phoenix, searching for answers against playoff-caliber competition.
