Live updates: Celtics travel to Magic looking to stay unbeaten in NBA Cup
The Boston Celtics traveled to face the Orlando Magic on Friday night aiming to remain undefeated with a 2-0 record in the 2025 NBA Cup group stage. Despite strong individual efforts, the Magic outplayed the Celtics in the final moments to secure a 123-110 win at the Kia Center.
Game Summary
- This marked Boston’s first defeat in Group B of the NBA Cup.
- The Celtics now stand at 1-1 in the tournament, with upcoming matches against Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets later this month.
Key Performances
- Jaylen Brown led Boston with a game-high 32 points, scoring 18 in the second half and shooting 15-for-28 overall.
- Anfernee Simons contributed all 11 of his points during the fourth quarter on 4-for-8 shooting.
Orlando's Strong Start
The Magic jumped to a 16-point lead by mid-first quarter thanks to an aggressive offense. They shot 49% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc (9-for-18) in the first half.
Celtics’ Comeback and Final Stretch
Boston reduced the deficit behind Brown’s scoring and improved defense in the third quarter. Derrick White’s basket in the fourth gave Boston their first lead since early in the game.
"A fourth-quarter bucket by Derrick White gave Boston its first lead since the four-minute mark of the first quarter."
However, Orlando responded strongly, closing the game on a decisive 28-14 run over the last six minutes.
Recap Takeaway
The Magic’s consistent offensive execution in crunch time proved the difference, handing Boston their first loss in this NBA Cup group phase.
Author's summary: The Celtics’ fightback fell short as the Magic’s clutch scoring sealed a 123-110 victory, marking Boston's first NBA Cup group loss while they prepare for upcoming matches.