Magic take down Celtics to open NBA Cup play

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Nov 7, 2025

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Facing the franchise that eliminated them from the first round of the NBA playoffs last season, the Magic didn’t need to find any extra motivation against the Celtics at Kia Center on Friday night.

And just in case they did, the matchup between the Eastern Conference foes was also a part of the group stage for the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament.

The Magic leaned on the energy inside their home arena, with a sold-out 19,154 fans inside, to take down Boston, 127-110. Orlando got a team-high 27 points from Franz Wagner and made a season-high 17 3-pointers on 47.2% shooting from beyond the arc.

The Magic had seven scorers finish in double figures, including Desmond Bane, who scored 22 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds.

The Celtics (4-6) were led by Jaylen Brown’s 32 points, though he scored only two in the fourth quarter).

The Magic (4-5) host the Celtics again Sunday at Kia Center.

Fast start

The Magic came out firing against the Celtics, hitting their first three 3s and taking a 38-25 lead after the opening quarter.

Wagner powered the team early with nine first-quarter points. He hit his first triple and shot 4 for 4 from the free-throw line in his first eight minutes on the floor.

The Magic shot 7 for 12 (58.3%) from beyond the arc, a mark that included two triples from Tristan da Silva off the bench.

Wagner’s way

Wagner built off his first quarter by continuing to attack downhill and distribute the ball. He added six rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes.

Wagner’s triple from the right corner put the Magic ahead by four points with just over five minutes left in the contest.

Pritchard’s patience

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has struggled from distance to open the year, shooting just 22.4% from 3-point range. But he didn't struggle Friday.

Pritchard buried his fourth long-range bucket to tie the game at 62 early in the third quarter.

Hitting 5 of 8 from distance, Pritchard ended with 27 points in 32 minutes.

Da Silva dynamic

Da Silva, a second-year forward, hit his first pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter and added his third 3 late in the third quarter.

Scoring 15-plus points in three of his last four games entering Friday, da Silva totaled 11 in 18 minutes against Boston.

He and Anthony Black (13 points) provided a boost off the bench, scoring 24 of Orlando’s 27 bench points. The Magic reserves outscored Boston’s 27-18.