Paolo Banchero delivered a thrilling performance for the Orlando Magic, sinking a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the top of the key in overtime to secure a 104-103 win against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. This victory not only marked the Magic’s eighth consecutive win over the Nets but also improved their record to 21-17.
Banchero was the standout player, scoring 30 points, while his teammates also contributed significantly with Wendell Carter Jr. adding 20 points, Tristan da Silva chipping in 14, and Noah Penda scoring 13. The Magic came back strong after a disappointing loss to the Washington Wizards earlier in the week, showcasing their resilience.
The game was tightly contested, with Brooklyn briefly leading in overtime. Egor Demin sank a 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining, giving the Nets a narrow 100-99 advantage. However, Carter quickly responded with a dunk to put Orlando back in the lead before Demin answered again with another long-range shot, bringing the score to 103-101 with just seconds left on the clock. Banchero’s dramatic game-winner sealed the deal for the Magic.
For the Nets, Michael Porter Jr. was the top scorer, finishing with 34 points, and Demin added 18. Despite this hard-fought battle, Brooklyn saw their record fall to 11-13 after a recent victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Looking ahead, the Magic will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, while the Nets are set to take on the Los Angeles Clippers the same night. This game marks a pivotal moment for both teams as they continue to navigate the early portion of the season. The Magic’s ability to close out tight games like this one could be a strong indicator of their potential moving forward.