The Orlando Magic pulled off a nail-biter on February 24, 2026, edging the Los Angeles Lakers 110-109 in a game decided in the final seconds. Paolo Banchero went off for 36 points, but it was Wendell Carter Jr.’s putback with 6.7 seconds left that sealed the win for the Magic. Here’s a full breakdown of the box score, key performers, and what to watch for going forward.

Latest Score: Magic 110-109 Lakers ·
Star Performer: Paolo Banchero 36 PTS ·
Game Date: Feb 24, 2026 ·
Next Match: Mar 21, 2026 ·
Venue: Los Angeles

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Full roster breakdown for both teams beyond top performers
  • Complete player-by-player rebound totals
  • Exact blocks and steals per player
3Timeline signal
  • Lakers led 56-53 at halftime (ESPN Play-by-Play)
  • Carter Jr. putback with 6.7 seconds remaining (ESPN Play-by-Play)
  • Next meeting: Mar 21, 2026 (ESPN Play-by-Play)
4What’s next
Stat Value
Most Recent Score Magic 110-109 Lakers
Date Feb 24, 2026
Top Scorer Paolo Banchero 36 points
Next Game Mar 21, 2026
Sources NBA.com, ESPN

Lakers vs Orlando Magic Match Player Stats Today

The box score from ESPN reveals the full picture of how this game played out at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026. The Magic came away with the 110-109 victory despite the Lakers shooting a slightly higher field goal percentage overall.

Key Performers

Paolo Banchero dominated with 36 points on 12-of-22 shooting from the field, including 10-of-11 from the free throw line. He logged 38 minutes with 4 turnovers but also contributed 10 rebounds and 6 assists in a complete offensive performance. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 22 points, though he struggled efficiency-wise, going 8-of-24 from the field and 2-of-10 from three-point range. Despite his shooting woes, Doncic filled the stat sheet with 15 assists and 9 rebounds while playing all 38 minutes with only 2 turnovers.

The upshot

Banchero’s 36-point showing represents his ceiling impact—12-of-22 from the field with near-perfect free throw shooting. His ability to draw contact (10-of-11 FT) kept the Magic in it when their three-point shooting faltered at 24%.

Team Totals

The Magic finished with 43-of-94 shooting (46%) from the field, 7-of-29 from three (24%), and 17-of-23 from the free throw line (74%). They pulled down 39 rebounds, committed 11 turnovers, recorded 6 steals, and blocked 12 shots. The Lakers shot 40-of-83 (48%) from the field, 9-of-29 from three (31%), and 20-of-28 from the line (71%), with 12 turnovers and 8 steals.

The Lakers actually shot better from the field and from three-point range, but their 12 turnovers compared to the Magic’s 11, combined with the critical late-game sequence, made the difference. The Magic won the free throw percentage battle despite attempting five fewer free throws.

Lakers vs Orlando Magic Match Player Stats ESPN

ESPN’s game recap and play-by-play data offer the granular details on how the game unfolded in the closing moments. This is where the 110-109 final score becomes a story of execution under pressure.

Final Box Score

The quarter-by-quarter breakdown shows how back-and-forth this contest was: the Magic opened with 25 points in the first quarter, the Lakers answered with 33, and the teams traded leads throughout. The Lakers held a 56-53 advantage at halftime after outscoring the Magic 23-13 in the second quarter. The Magic responded with 26 points in the third quarter to trim the deficit, then erupted for 31 in the final quarter to complete the comeback.

Why this matters

The 6.7-second putback by Carter Jr. represents the kind of hustle play that separates close wins from losses. His 11 rebounds (9 defensive, 2 offensive) gave the Magic extra possessions when they needed them most, directly impacting the final outcome.

Play-by-Play Highlights

According to ESPN’s play-by-play data, LeBron James set up Deandre Ayton for an alley-oop dunk that energized the home crowd. Desmond Bane added to the Magic’s balanced attack with a 12-foot fadeaway jump shot, finishing with 22 points, 6 assists, and 2 three-pointers. Banchero’s 36-point performance included getting to the line repeatedly, while the Magic’s defense tightened in the final quarter.

Wendell Carter Jr. made a go-ahead putback with 6.7 seconds to play. Magic survive chaotic ending after LeBron’s 3-point attempt doesn’t drop. — ESPN Game Recap

The Lakers had a chance to win it in the final seconds, but LeBron James’s three-point attempt rimmed out. The Magic grabbed the rebound and held on for the 110-109 victory, improving to 31-26 on the season.

Lakers vs Orlando Magic Stats

Looking at the broader statistical picture from the February 24, 2026 matchup, several patterns emerge that explain how the Magic stole this game despite the Lakers’ superior shooting percentages in some areas.

Player Averages

Banchero’s season averages received a significant boost from this performance, as his 36-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist line pushed his per-game numbers higher. He logged 38 minutes against the Lakers, indicating the Magic needed him on the floor for the full game to secure the victory. His four turnovers were a minor concern, but his free throw frequency (10-of-11) more than compensated for occasional miscues.

Deandre Ayton contributed 13 rebounds for the Lakers (11 defensive, 2 offensive), providing a secondary source of production alongside Doncic’s triple-double-like line. Ayton’s rebounding presence kept the Lakers competitive on the glass despite losing the overall battle.

Shooting Charts

Desmond Bane’s contribution of 22 points on efficient shooting complemented Banchero’s volume scoring. Bane made 2 three-pointers and distributed 6 assists, showing the kind of two-way contribution the Magic need from their secondary scorers. His ability to create his own shot—evidenced by the 12-foot fadeaway—provided crucial spacing when Banchero rested.

The Lakers’ shooting chart shows the paradox of their performance: they shot 48% from the field and 31% from three, both figures exceeding the Magic’s marks. Yet they committed 12 turnovers and couldn’t convert late-game opportunities, resulting in a one-point loss.

Lakers vs Orlando Magic Score

The final score of Magic 110, Lakers 109 tells only part of the story. The quarter-by-quarter breakdown reveals a game that neither team controlled for extended stretches.

Final Score

According to ESPN’s box score data, the Magic’s final tally came from a balanced scoring attack: 25 points in Q1, 28 in Q2, 26 in Q3, and 31 in Q4. The Lakers’ 109 points broke down as 33 in Q1, 23 in Q2, 24 in Q3, and 29 in Q4. The pattern shows the Lakers carried Q1 momentum before the Magic clawed back with strong second and third quarters, then surged ahead in the final frame.

Quarter Breakdown

The Lakers led 56-53 at halftime after a 23-point second quarter that gave them a three-point cushion. The Magic responded with 26 points in the third quarter to trim the margin, then unleashed 31 points in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback. The final quarter scoring (31-29 Magic) proved decisive, with Carter Jr.’s putback serving as the culmination of a 31-point closing effort.

Post-game records reflect the stakes: the Magic improved to 31-26, while the Lakers fell to 34-23. For the Lakers, this loss extended a three-game losing streak that dropped them below their pre-game standing. The Magic, meanwhile, gained ground in the playoff race with a statement win on the road.

The catch

The Lakers shot 48% overall and 31% from three yet lost because their 12 turnovers and missed free throws (20-of-28) gave the Magic extra possessions. Basketball games aren’t won on percentage alone—execution in crucial moments matters more.

Lakers vs Orlando Magic Last Game

The February 24, 2026 matchup between these teams marked a pivotal moment in their season trajectories. The Magic’s road victory at Crypto.com Arena represents one of their stronger wins of the season, while the Lakers’ loss extended a concerning losing streak.

Top Players

Banchero led all scorers with 36 points, adding 10 rebounds and 6 assists in a performance that affirmed his status as the Magic’s primary option. His complete stat line—12-of-22 field goals, 10-of-11 free throws, 4 turnovers across 38 minutes—shows both his scoring volume and the occasional carelessness that comes with heavy usage.

For the Lakers, Doncic’s 22 points came on difficult efficiency (8-of-24 field goals), but his 15 assists kept the offense flowing. The triple-double potential was there (22 PTS, 15 AST, 9 REB), though he needed one more rebound to complete the milestone. His two turnovers across 38 minutes represented solid ball security despite the heavy shooting workload.

Key Moments

ESPN’s video highlights captured the most dramatic sequence of the night: LeBron James’s three-point attempt that could have won it for the Lakers, followed by Carter Jr.’s putback that sealed the 110-109 Magic victory. The play-by-play also shows LeBron setting up Ayton for an alley-oop that energized the home crowd during a tense fourth quarter.

LeBron James himself threw down a dunk against the Magic, reminding viewers that the future Hall of Famer remains capable of highlight-reel plays. Yet in the final analysis, it was Carter Jr.’s hustle and Banchero’s scoring that decided the outcome.

The implication: the Lakers’ losing streak at the time of this game reflects inconsistent late-game execution, while the Magic’s 31-26 record shows they’re competitive enough to steal games on the road when their stars perform. Banchero’s 36-point effort proves he can carry the load against elite competition, but the Magic need consistency from their supporting cast to build on this win.

Category Orlando Magic Los Angeles Lakers
Field Goal % 46% (43-94) 48% (40-83)
Three-Point % 24% (7-29) 31% (9-29)
Free Throw % 74% (17-23) 71% (20-28)
Turnovers 11 12
Total Rebounds 39 Competitive (detailed breakdowns unclear)
Steals 6 8

Confirmed facts

  • Magic 110-109 Lakers, Feb 24, 2026 (ESPN Box Score)
  • Banchero 36 PTS 12-22 FG 10-11 FT (ESPN Game Page)
  • Carter Jr. 11 rebounds with go-ahead putback at 6.7 seconds (ESPN Game Recap)
  • Magic record improves to 31-26 (NBA YouTube Highlights)
  • Lakers fall to 34-23, on L3 losing streak (ESPN Box Score)

What’s unclear

  • Full player-by-player rebound totals beyond top contributors
  • Exact blocks and steals for every player
  • Specific details on Lakers’ full roster contributions beyond top three scorers

The Magic defeated the Lakers, 110-109 tonight in Los Angeles. — NBA Highlights Narrator (Broadcaster)

Wendell Carter Jr. made a go-ahead putback with 6.7 seconds to play. — ESPN Recap (ESPN Reporter)

Magic survive chaotic ending after LeBron’s 3-point attempt doesn’t drop. — ESPN Video Highlights

For Lakers fans, the loss stings given that LeBron James nearly pulled off the hero play in the final seconds. For Magic supporters, the road win at Crypto.com Arena signals that Paolo Banchero’s emergence continues—36 points against a championship-caliber team proves he’s ready for prime-time moments. The next meeting on March 21, 2026 will test whether the Lakers can break their losing streak or if the Magic can keep building momentum toward playoff positioning.

What are the head-to-head stats between Lakers and Magic?

The most recent head-to-head meeting occurred on February 24, 2026, with the Magic defeating the Lakers 110-109 at Crypto.com Arena. Paolo Banchero led all scorers with 36 points for Orlando, while Luka Doncic paced the Lakers with 22 points and 15 assists. The Lakers held a 56-53 halftime lead before the Magic’s 31-point fourth quarter completed the comeback.

Who won the Lakers vs Orlando Magic game on Feb 24, 2026?

The Orlando Magic won 110-109. Wendell Carter Jr. made a go-ahead putback with 6.7 seconds remaining after LeBron James missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer. The Magic improved to 31-26 on the season, while the Lakers fell to 34-23.

Where can I find shot charts for Lakers vs Magic?

Official shot charts and detailed shooting breakdowns are available on NBA.com through their game recap pages. ESPN also provides shooting charts showing field goal percentages by zone and distance. The USA Today SportsData platform offers granular shooting splits including three-point and free throw percentages for each player.

What were LeBron James stats vs Orlando Magic?

LeBron James’s exact point total is not fully detailed in the available box score data, but he contributed key plays including setting up Deandre Ayton for an alley-oop dunk and throwing down a dunk himself. Most critically, he attempted a three-point shot in the final seconds that missed, allowing the Magic to secure the rebound and hold on for the 110-109 victory.

How to access Lakers vs Magic live stats?

Live game stats are available through NBA.com’s official game pages, ESPN’s NBA coverage, and the ESPN app. Real-time box scores, play-by-play data, and shot charts update throughout the game. The next scheduled meeting between these teams is March 21, 2026.

What is the prediction for Lakers vs Orlando Magic Mar 21?

The March 21, 2026 matchup will serve as a rematch after the Magic’s 110-109 road victory. The Lakers will look to break their three-game losing streak while protecting their home court. The Magic enter with momentum after their comeback win, with Paolo Banchero’s 36-point performance providing confidence heading into the next meeting.

Who are the starting lineups for recent Lakers vs Magic games?

Key contributors from the February 24, 2026 matchup included Paolo Banchero (Magic), Luka Doncic (Lakers), Wendell Carter Jr. (Magic), Deandre Ayton (Lakers), and Desmond Bane (Magic). The complete starting five for each team is available on ESPN’s game page for game ID 401810695, with full roster breakdowns appearing in official NBA box score data.


Related reading: Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats – Box Score & Top Performers

Additional sources

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