Magic Stun Raptors With Fourth-Quarter Comeback Victory

The Orlando Magic delivered a stirring comeback on Friday night, overcoming a double-digit deficit to defeat the Toronto Raptors 130-120 at the Kia Center. For much of the contest, it looked as though the Raptors would extend their recent dominance over Orlando, but a fourth-quarter surge—fueled by red-hot shooting and relentless energy—turned the tide and snapped the Magic’s four-game losing streak against their Canadian rivals.

Trailing by as many as 14 points as the final quarter began, the Magic found a spark that had eluded them for much of the previous three periods. Desmond Bane, who has quickly become a fan favorite in Orlando, led the charge with a dazzling offensive performance. Bane finished with 32 points, shooting an ultra-efficient 11-of-15 from the field and a blistering 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. Sixteen of his points came in the pivotal fourth quarter, where he didn’t miss a single shot—going 6-for-6, including 4-for-4 from three-point range.

“We executed down the stretch,” said head coach Jamahl Mosley after the game. “That fourth quarter was very special for our guys.” And special it was. The Magic outscored the Raptors 44-21 in the final 12 minutes, flipping the script on a night that had seen 12 lead changes and plenty of back-and-forth action. Orlando’s 21-5 run to open the fourth was the knockout punch, energizing the home crowd and putting the Raptors on their heels.

Bane’s seven triples marked the sixth time in his six-year NBA career that he has hit at least seven three-pointers in a game, and he was just one shy of matching his personal best set in October 2022 as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. His hot hand was complemented by a well-rounded effort from the rest of the Magic’s starting five. Anthony Black poured in 25 points, making all 14 of his free-throw attempts, while Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, along with seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Paolo Banchero added 20 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, and Jalen Suggs chipped in 14 points, 10 assists, and six boards.

“They were just finding each other, finding the right things,” Mosley said of his starters. “If you noticed in moments, one time it was AB, one time it was Jalen, one time it was Paolo, one time it was Des, and then the unsung hero to me in this was Wendell Carter Jr. He didn’t say a word, guarded how he needed to guard, rebounded when he needed to rebound, and then he got rewarded being underneath the basket. He just did his job.”

As a unit, Orlando’s starters accounted for a staggering 114 of the team’s 130 points. The Magic as a team shot 50% from three-point range, drilling 17 of 34 attempts. Their accuracy from the charity stripe was equally impressive, as they converted 33 of 37 free throws (89.2%). Black’s perfect night at the line was a major factor, and both Carter and Bane chipped in three made free throws each. In contrast, the Raptors struggled at times from the line, making 25 of 32 attempts (78.1%) and missing seven crucial free throws in a game ultimately decided by 10 points.

The Raptors, meanwhile, were led by Brandon Ingram’s 35 points on 13-of-23 shooting. Ingram was a force in the paint, helping Toronto to a 56-42 advantage in that area. Scottie Barnes provided 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four blocks, while RJ Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter also contributed big plays, particularly during a third-quarter surge that saw Toronto close the period on a 19-6 run. The Raptors’ fastbreak prowess was on display early, as they racked up 18 fastbreak points in the first half and finished with a 25-15 edge in that category. But Orlando’s defensive adjustments in the second half, particularly in transition, helped limit the damage and set the stage for the comeback.

Tempers flared briefly in the second quarter when Bane was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for tossing Immanuel Quickley to the floor on a layup attempt. Toronto’s Ochai Agbaji received a technical foul for his aggressive defense of his teammate. The dust-up seemed to inject some added intensity into the matchup, but ultimately, it was Orlando’s composure and execution that won the day.

The victory was especially sweet for the Magic, who avenged a heartbreaking 107-106 loss to the Raptors in Toronto back on December 29—a game in which Orlando had squandered a 21-point first-half lead. This time, the shoe was on the other foot, with the Magic storming back from a double-digit deficit of their own to seal a memorable win in front of a national TV audience on ESPN.

Rookie watch saw second-round pick Noah Penda grab three rebounds and block a shot in limited minutes, while first-rounder Jase Richardson did not see action. The bench played a supporting role, as the starting five carried the bulk of the scoring and playmaking duties.

The win marked Orlando’s second straight, signaling a potential turnaround after a season-high four-game skid that had started in London against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Magic now sit at 25-22 on the season, while the Raptors fall to 29-21, with their four-game road winning streak snapped in the process.

Looking ahead, the Magic will hit the road for a pair of challenging matchups: first against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, February 1, followed by a clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder two days later. With momentum on their side and their starters firing on all cylinders, Orlando will be eager to build on this dramatic victory and continue their climb up the Eastern Conference standings.

It’s nights like this—when a team refuses to quit, the home crowd roars, and stars rise to the occasion—that remind fans why they love the NBA. The Magic’s fourth-quarter eruption will be talked about for some time, and with Desmond Bane leading the way, Orlando looks ready to make some noise as the season heats up.