The Memphis Grizzlies narrowly edged past the Orlando Magic with a 105-104 victory on Friday night, deep within the heart of Orlando's Amway Center, marking yet another twist in the tightly contested battle of the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
This game had all the makings of a thriller, with the stakes high for the Magic, who were vying to extend their winning streak after the NBA All-Star break. Led by the dynamic Ja Morant, who finished with 23 points, including 10 points scored during the tense fourth quarter, the Grizzlies managed to stay one step ahead.
With just over 45 seconds left on the clock, Memphis’ Desmond Bane made his presence felt when he converted a free throw, sealing the victory margin for the Grizzlies as they climbed to 37 wins against 19 losses this season.
But the night wasn’t without drama, especially for the Magic. After grabbing the rebound off a missed free throw from Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama, Magic's Paolo Banchero surged down the court with hopes high. The clock ticking down, Banchero took the shot but came up short, blocked decisively by the Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. just seconds before the buzzer.
The decision-making during this pivotal final possession was undoubtedly under scrutiny. Magic’s head coach Jamahl Mosley decided against calling for a timeout to set up what could have been the game-winning play. Reflecting on this choice, he conceded, “That’s on me, I should’ve called the timeout once we advanced it over half-court,” he explained to The Sixth Man Show's Fawzan Amer, emphasizing the need for clearer communication and execution.
This choice left many fans feeling frustrated. Comments flooded social media, echoing the sentiment: “Seems everyone was expecting a timeout off the rebound, then Paolo had to go, still could have called one once they crossed halfcourt,” noted Bleacher Report's Mo Dakhil, who captured the dismay of those watching. Other fans chimed in, lamenting, “Terrible loss, we are too good to be this bad…”
Throughout the game, Banchero, who had been expected to shine, faced the mounting pressure of the moment but did not deliver as anticipated. Meanwhile, teammate Franz Wagner was seen signaling for a timeout immediately after Banchero’s rebound, highlighting the disarray within the Magic’s ranks at such a desperate time.
Statistically, the Magic managed to stay competitive; they were led by Banchero's 24 points and Wagner’s efforts, but the late-game execution proved costlier than they could have imagined.
Further compounding the significance of the game was the performance, or lack thereof, of the Grizzlies' promising big man, Zach Edey, who found himself riddled with foul trouble throughout the match. Though he only contributed two points during his limited minutes, the Grizzlies rallied around each other, exemplifying their depth and strength.
Despite Edey’s underwhelming performance, the Grizzlies marched on with impressive play. After the victory, they set their focus on their next matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, known for one of the league’s most formidable frontcourts.
The loss dropped the Magic to 28-29, putting them at the No. 7 seed within the Eastern Conference playoff framework, and with their recent struggle to finish games, they must regroup quickly to remain competitive.
After this tightly contested game, fans of both teams will be eagerly awaiting what’s next, but the Grizzlies are undoubtedly pleased to come away with the victory, showcasing resilience and tactical proficiency, especially down the stretch. The night will be remembered not just for the win, but for the lessons learned and decisions weighed heavily at the final buzzer. What’s next for both teams will surely be the subject of conversation as they navigate their playoff aspirations.