The Orlando Magic’s West Coast road trip has been anything but routine, but on Sunday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the team showed just how deep their resolve runs. Coming off a grueling double-overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns just 24 hours earlier, the Magic faced the Los Angeles Clippers with fatigue in their legs and two key starters—Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain) and Jalen Suggs (back spasms)—still sidelined. Yet, in a classic NBA battle marked by 14 ties and 19 lead changes, Orlando dug deep to edge the Clippers 111-109, improving their record to 30-26 and sending a clear message to the rest of the league: this squad doesn’t back down, no matter the odds.
Desmond Bane, who has rapidly become the heartbeat of this Magic team, delivered another electric performance. Bane poured in 36 points, his second straight 30-plus point outing and his ninth such showing this season. He started the game with a bang, capping the first quarter with a buzzer-beating step-back three-pointer and never letting up. By halftime, Bane had already tallied 18 points, continuing the hot streak he began the night before in Phoenix, where he scored 22 in the first half.
“You cannot say enough about Desmond Bane,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said after the game. “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. The toughness, the focus, making shots, getting downhill … All those little things within the game, he’s making the right plays.”
Bane’s relentless energy was crucial, especially as the Magic played on the second night of a back-to-back and were missing two of their most important contributors. He shook off a hard fall early in the second quarter, kept attacking the rim, and got to the free throw line, helping Orlando maintain a slim lead at the half. Even with a less-than-ideal night from the charity stripe—he shot 6 for 10, while the Magic as a team went 23 for 31 (74%)—Bane’s offensive output kept the Magic afloat.
Orlando’s victory wasn’t just about one player, though. Paolo Banchero, who has been under the microscope all season for his shooting efficiency, turned in a well-rounded effort with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. It wasn’t his most efficient night—he finished 6 for 16 from the floor, including 3 for 8 in the paint, and committed two turnovers—but Banchero’s aggression and playmaking were evident throughout. For a third straight game, he struggled offensively in the opening quarter, but he settled in by the second, scoring seven points and remaining active on both ends.
Banchero’s season has been defined by his work around the basket. So far in the 2025-2026 campaign, he’s shooting 65.7 percent on 5.2 attempts per game in the restricted area, staying right in line with his previous seasons. However, his touch in the paint outside the restricted area has slipped, down to 39.1 percent on 4.3 attempts per game. Since January 1, Banchero has shown signs of improvement, averaging 23.1 points per game with shooting splits of 46.2 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three, and 78.3 percent from the line. He’s also converting 61.6 percent of his attempts in the restricted area since the new year, though he continues to struggle with short jumpers, hitting just 36.8 percent on 4.1 attempts per game in the paint outside the restricted area.
Despite these ups and downs, Banchero’s all-around contributions remain vital for the Magic. He’s averaging 21.6 points per game and shooting 45.2 percent overall this season, while getting to the free throw line for 7.8 attempts per game. In Sunday’s win, however, he managed only four free throw attempts, a point of frustration given his ability to draw contact and manufacture points at the stripe.
Wendell Carter Jr. also played a significant role, notching a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. His presence in the paint was critical, especially against a Clippers squad that outscored Orlando 60-54 in the paint and was led by the ever-dangerous Kawhi Leonard. Leonard finished with a game-high 37 points and nearly stole the win for Los Angeles, but his efforts fell just short when Bennedict Mathurin’s last-second three-pointer missed the mark.
“I’m extremely proud of these guys,” Mosley said, clearly emotional after the hard-fought victory. “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. Everybody contributed and that’s what this group continues to show and will continue to do.”
The Magic’s depth was on display, with the starting lineup accounting for 91 of the team’s 111 points. Rookie Jase Richardson, Orlando’s first-round pick, saw action late in the first quarter and made the most of his 10 minutes, scoring 4 points on a pair of floaters and adding two assists. Second-round pick Noah Penda did not see the floor, but Richardson’s brief contributions highlighted the Magic’s willingness to trust their young talent in high-pressure moments.
Orlando’s win snapped the Clippers’ strong record when Leonard scores 30 or more points—Los Angeles is now just 11-5 in such games. The Clippers, whose record dropped to 27-30, were left to rue missed opportunities, particularly at the free throw line where they shot an impressive 86 percent (24 for 28). The Magic’s eight missed free throws nearly proved costly in a game decided by just two points.
Looking ahead, the Magic will wrap up their four-game West Coast road trip with a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. With momentum on their side and a resilient, “by committee” approach, Orlando is poised to keep making noise in the playoff race. If Bane’s hot hand and Banchero’s all-around game continue to click, the Magic could be a tough out for anyone as the season heats up.
For now, though, Orlando’s gritty win over the Clippers stands as a testament to their depth, toughness, and unyielding belief in each other. As the team heads into the final stretch of the road trip, fans have every reason to be excited about what’s to come.