The Orlando Magic are in shock after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers by a score of 105-104 inside the Kia Center. It was a game it appeared the Magic had, to stop their losing streak.
With a minute to go, Paolo Banchero was able to drive into the lane and draw a foul on Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves, resulting in two free throw shots with 50 seconds to go.
Banchero made both free throws, but Reaves erased those points when he made a lay-up on the other end. The Magic had a chance to ice the game, but Desmond Bane was unable to make a tough two, giving the Lakers a chance to tie it up.
Reaves had an open 3-point shot with 9.5 seconds to go, but he came up short. Deandre Ayton grabbed the offensive rebound, but he was fouled by Tristan da Silva. Ayton made the first free throw, but he intentionally missed the second to try and give the Lakers a chance to tie the game. Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed the rebound, putting the ball back in the Magic’s hands.
Jalen Suggs sent the inbounds pass into Banchero, but the ball was not properly caught. The original call was made in the Lakers’ favor, a review appeared to show that the ball went off LeBron James, but it was not conclusive evidence and the ball ended up in Los Angeles’ possession.
Marcus Smart got a clean pass to LeBron off the inbounds, but Banchero was able to block it before a potential game-tying dunk.
With 2.6 seconds to go, the Lakers got the ball into Luke Kennard, who was wide open for a 3-point shot, which went in and gave the Lakers a victory. Kennard was picked up at the trade deadline to provide long-range shooting in moments like this. The Lakers have been on a roll of late, trying to secure the third seed in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic moves the ball past Orlando Magic forward Jamal Cain. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer this season, was also the game’s leading scorer with 33 points while Reaves had 26. Kennard had 13, including the game-winner. LeBron added 12 points as he surpassed Robert Parish to be the league’s all-time leader in games played. He already is the leader in career points, among many other categories.
The Magic had seven players score in double figures. Banchero was the leader with 16 and Suggs had 14. Both Wendell Carter Jr. and Jevon Carter had 13, Bane and da Silva added 12 apiece and Jamal Cain had 10.
What’s Next For Magic?
The Magic will return to the court on Monday when they take on the Indiana Pacers. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET inside the Kia Center. Fans can watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network or stream it on NBA League Pass. Orlando needs a win to stay in the top six in a competitive Eastern Conference, in which the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets have been surging of late.
