The Cleveland Cavaliers’ impressive 16-game winning streak came to a dramatic halt as the Orlando Magic pulled off a thrilling comeback, securing a 108-103 victory on the road.
Despite trailing by 13 points at halftime, Orlando rallied behind standout performances from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Banchero led the charge with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, while Wagner added 22 points and eight rebounds. The Magic’s dominant 35-23 third-quarter performance turned the tide, setting the stage for a gritty fourth-quarter battle.
Cleveland, already locked into the postseason, looked in control when Donovan Mitchell’s layup extended their lead to 91-84 in the final period. However, Orlando responded with key baskets from Wagner, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Banchero to silence the 19,432-strong crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
A Statement Win for Orlando Magic
After wrapping up a five-game road trip, the Magic improved to 32-37, solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. Banchero emphasized the significance of the victory:
“We knew this would be the toughest game of the trip. To come in here and beat one of the best teams in the league—it’s a big win.”
On the other side, Mitchell paced Cleveland with 23 points, while Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland added 20 and 19, respectively. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged Orlando’s effort:
“Huge credit to them. This league humbles you fast. Winning 16 straight doesn’t guarantee anything—every night is a battle.”
Western Conference Highlights
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominance, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 121-105. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 31 points and eight assists as they improved to 56-12, maintaining a comfortable lead atop the Western Conference.
The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak with a crucial 107-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Luka Doncic spearheaded the win with 33 points, while Austin Reaves chipped in 28. The loss further dampened the Suns’ playoff hopes as they sit just outside the play-in spots.
Elsewhere, Quentin Grimes torched his former team, scoring 28 points to lift the Philadelphia 76ers past the Dallas Mavericks 130-125. James Harden’s 31 points powered the LA Clippers to a dominant 123-88 win over the Charlotte Hornets, while Cameron Johnson’s 28 points helped the Brooklyn Nets edge out the Atlanta Hawks 122-114.
With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight as teams jockey for playoff positioning. One thing is certain: the race to the postseason is heating up.
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