In a thrilling turn of events, the Orlando Magic overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 108-104. The victory was bolstered by Tristan da Silva, who scored 18 points, including a pivotal 3-pointer with just 9.9 seconds remaining. The Celtics, playing without star player Jayson Tatum due to illness, saw Jaylen Brown step up with an impressive 35 points.
Despite Boston’s strong start, leading 58-43 at halftime, the Magic showcased resilience in the third quarter, successfully tying the game. They continued their momentum into the fourth, even building a 10-point lead. However, the Celtics made a late surge, closing the gap to 105-104 with under a minute left after a layup from Brown. A missed go-ahead 3-pointer by Al Horford allowed da Silva to secure the victory with his crucial shot.
Magic players Trevelin Queen and Jalen Suggs also contributed significantly, scoring 17 and 16 points, respectively. On the other hand, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White both finished with 17 points for the Celtics. The game saw Magic center Goga Bitadze ejected for intervening in a scuffle between Suggs and Porzingis, both of whom received technical fouls.
This victory is particularly noteworthy for the Magic, as they were missing key players Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Mo Wagner. Their ability to rally and clinch the win showcases the team’s depth and determination.
In the upcoming games, the Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day, while the Magic will face the Miami Heat at home on Thursday night.
Overall, this performance serves as a testament to the Magic’s fighting spirit and potential, offering fans hope as they continue to build their team.