The Orlando Magic pulled off a dramatic 111-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on February 22, 2026, inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, marking a historic first for the franchise at the Clippers’ new home. Coming off a grueling double-overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns just 24 hours earlier, the Magic showed no signs of fatigue, battling through adversity and a depleted roster to snatch a win that will be remembered for its grit and late-game drama.
Entering the contest, the odds were stacked against Orlando. The Magic were missing key contributors Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain) and Jalen Suggs (back spasms) for the second straight game, and they had just endured a heartbreaking last-second defeat at Phoenix. Head coach Jamahl Mosley’s squad could have used the schedule as an excuse, but instead, they dug deep and played by committee, as Mosley later praised: “I’m extremely proud of these guys. To come off the loss last night, what we did, the effort we put in, guys playing major minutes, it took the entire group. We always talk about ‘by committee,’ but these guys really showed it.”
The game itself was a rollercoaster, featuring 14 ties and 19 lead changes. Both teams traded blows throughout, with neither able to establish dominance for long. The Magic’s largest lead was eight points, but the Clippers refused to let them pull away. The fourth quarter was especially tense, with the lead changing hands multiple times and the outcome hanging in the balance until the final buzzer.
Desmond Bane was the undisputed star for Orlando, delivering a season-defining performance. He finished with 36 points on 13-of-19 shooting, including four three-pointers, and kept the Magic’s offense humming all night. Bane set the tone early, capping off a seven-point first quarter by beating the buzzer with a step-back three. He continued to attack relentlessly, notching 18 points in the first half and remaining aggressive despite taking a hard fall in the second quarter. “You cannot say enough about Desmond Bane,” Mosley said. “He’s just a flat-out winner. That’s it. He’s going to find a way no matter what. Beat up, banged up, it doesn’t matter. He’s going to find a way to will his team to a win, and that’s just what he brings to this group.”
Paolo Banchero added 16 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, showing resilience after a slow start. While his shooting wasn’t the most efficient—6-for-16 from the floor—Banchero’s activity on the glass and willingness to facilitate kept Orlando’s offense balanced. Wendell Carter Jr. also made a significant impact, recording a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Tristan da Silva chipped in 13 points, while Anthony Black provided 11, showcasing the depth and versatility of the Magic’s lineup.
The Clippers, meanwhile, were led by Kawhi Leonard’s game-high 37 points. Leonard, who was questionable entering the contest with an ankle issue, showed no ill effects as he powered the Clippers’ attack. Bennedict Mathurin contributed 21 points and nearly played the hero, but his potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the rim. Jordan Miller added 14 points off the bench, and Brook Lopez finished with 10 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Magic’s late surge.
The closing moments were a microcosm of the entire game’s intensity. With 1:26 remaining, Bane drew a crucial goaltending call to give Orlando a two-point lead. Leonard had a chance to tie it up but missed, and the Magic capitalized, with Bane finding Banchero on a fast break to stretch the advantage to four points. Leonard responded with a tough basket to cut the deficit to two, setting up a frantic finish. On the Magic’s final possession, Bane was blocked at the rim, giving the Clippers a golden opportunity. With the clock ticking down, Mathurin found himself open for a three-pointer, but the shot missed, and Orlando escaped with the win.
Both teams were efficient from the free throw line, though the Magic left some points on the table. Orlando shot 74% (23-for-31) from the stripe, with Bane uncharacteristically missing four attempts (6-for-10), while the Clippers shot 86% (24-for-28), led by Leonard’s 7-for-9 effort. In a game decided by just two points, every miss was magnified.
Rookie Jase Richardson, Orlando’s first-round pick, saw 10 minutes of action, contributing four points and two assists. Second-round pick Noah Penda did not play. The Magic’s starters carried the scoring load, accounting for 91 of the team’s 111 points, a testament to the group’s cohesion despite the absences of Wagner and Suggs. For the Clippers, Mathurin continued to impress since joining the team, averaging over 20 points across his first four games in Los Angeles.
This victory was especially sweet for Orlando, marking their first-ever win at the Intuit Dome after falling short in their inaugural visit last season. It also improved their record to 30-26 and gave them a 2-1 mark on their current four-game West Coast road trip. The Magic’s resilience was on full display, bouncing back from a heartbreaking loss in Phoenix and overcoming both fatigue and a short-handed roster to topple a Clippers squad that had previously won 20 of the last 24 meetings between the two teams.
For the Clippers, the loss dropped them to 27-30 on the season. Despite Leonard’s heroics and a strong showing in the paint (outscoring Orlando 60-54), they couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities down the stretch. The result also highlighted the importance of execution in clutch moments—a theme that has haunted Los Angeles in close games this season.
Looking ahead, the Magic will wrap up their road trip with a high-profile matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 24 at Crypto.com Arena, a game that promises more intrigue as Orlando seeks to build on their momentum. Fans can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network or stream it live on NBA League Pass. The Clippers, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly as they fight to stay in the playoff hunt.
What a night for the Magic—defying the odds, overcoming adversity, and making franchise history in the heart of Los Angeles. If this performance is any indication, Orlando’s young core is just getting started.