Key Takeaways:
- Wendell Carter Jr. delivered a decisive putback with 6.7 seconds remaining to seal Orlando Magic’s 110-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers
- Paolo Banchero led the Magic’s offence, scoring 36 points as the team concluded their strong West Coast trip
- The Lakers have now lost four of their last six matches, finishing their eight-game homestand with a 4-4 record
Match Summary and Decisive Moments
Wendell Carter Jr.’s dramatic putback in the closing seconds propelled the Orlando Magic to a 110-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers last night at Crypto.com Arena, concluding their road trip on a high note. Paolo Banchero topped the scoring with a remarkable 36 points, while Carter contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds. In the dying moments, LeBron James had an opportunity to clinch victory for the Lakers, but his fallaway three-pointer at the buzzer fell short.
The Lakers concluded an eight-game homestand spanning the All-Star break with a 4-4 record, slipping to sixth in the Western Conference after dropping four of their last six matchups. Their struggles against top-tier opposition continued as they failed to finish off a Magic squad surging into the playoff picture.
WAGIC WIN🪄 pic.twitter.com/MFuFaWHlWt
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 25, 2026
Comeback and Key Contributions
Despite falling behind by double digits early on, Orlando battled back to claim a five-point advantage with 5:30 to play. The Lakers briefly recaptured the lead through Rui Hachimura’s 3-pointer and a late connection between Luka Doncic and LeBron James for a dunk. However, with the Magic trailing in the final minute, Desmond Bane responded with a go-ahead triple with 34.6 seconds left. Ultimately, it was Carter’s grit on the offensive glass that made the difference, scoring after two consecutive rebounds on Orlando’s final possession.
Statistical Overview
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic | 36 | 10 | 6 |
| Wendell Carter Jr. | Orlando Magic | 20 | 11 | 2 |
| Desmond Bane | Orlando Magic | 22 | 1 | 6 |
| Luka Doncic | Los Angeles Lakers | 22 | 9 | 15 |
| LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers | 21 | 6 | 4 |
| Deandre Ayton | Los Angeles Lakers | 21 | 13 | 0 |
| Austin Reaves | Los Angeles Lakers | 18 | 2 | 3 |
Additional Notes & Upcoming Fixtures
Turnovers for the Lakers and a poor showing from the Magic beyond the arc kept the contest close through three quarters. Orlando’s starting guard, Jalen Suggs, missed his third consecutive outing with a back strain, while Lakers backup centre Jaxson Hayes continued to be sidelined with an ankle problem.
Looking ahead, the Magic will host Houston in their next fixture on Thursday, while the Lakers are set to visit Phoenix on the same evening.
