In an impressive comeback, the Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 108-104 despite being down by 15 points at halftime. Tristan da Silva was instrumental in the victory, scoring 18 points and sinking a crucial 3-pointer with just 9.9 seconds remaining. The Celtics, playing without Jayson Tatum, who was sidelined due to illness, relied heavily on Jaylen Brown, who led the team with 35 points.
The Celtics held a solid 58-43 lead at halftime, but the Magic surged in the third quarter, managing to tie the game by the end of the period. Orlando extended their lead to 10 points in the fourth quarter. Although Boston fought back, narrowing the gap to 105-104 after a layup from Brown, they ultimately fell short. Following Al Horford’s missed 3-pointer that could have shifted the momentum, da Silva solidified the Magic’s win with his late triple.
Magic’s Trevelin Queen made a notable impact with 17 points in his first NBA start, while Jalen Suggs added 16 points. For the Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White contributed 17 points each. Tensions flared as Magic center Goga Bitadze was ejected for engaging in an altercation, which also saw Suggs and Porzingis receive technical fouls.
This game exemplified the resilience of the Magic, who, despite missing key players Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Mo Wagner, managed to flip the game’s momentum and secure a victory in dramatic fashion.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day, while the Magic will face the Miami Heat at home on Thursday night. Both teams have opportunities to regroup and make a strong showing in their upcoming games.
Overall, this match serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of basketball and the importance of depth in a team’s lineup. The Magic’s ability to overcome adversity and secure a win will surely boost their confidence as they move forward in the season.