Franz Wagner scored 27 points as the Orlando Magic overcame the Boston Celtics 123-110 in Friday night’s NBA Cup opener at the KIA Center.
Desmond Bane added 22 points and seven assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in 18 points and five rebounds to help Orlando build key leads throughout the contest.
Boston’s Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 32 points, and Payton Pritchard contributed 27, but the Celtics could not sustain a comeback against a balanced Magic attack.
Orlando surged early with a 20-2 run in the first quarter, fueled by three-pointers from Wagner, Tristan da Silva, and Anthony Black, creating a 16-point advantage. Boston rallied in the second half and even held a 96-95 lead mid-fourth quarter before Wagner, Bane, and Carter Jr. combined for a 17-4 run to seal the victory.
Paolo Banchero added 15 points and nine rebounds, complementing Wagner’s scoring and maintaining Orlando’s presence inside. The Magic shot 50% from the field and 47.2% from three-point range, while Boston converted just 35.1% of their long-range attempts.
Brown scored 14 straight points for Boston before a bench break in the third quarter, and Anfernee Simons contributed 11 points in the final period, keeping the game competitive until the closing minutes.
The win gives Orlando a 4-5 record and a strong start in East Group B of the NBA Cup, which also features Brooklyn, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Boston falls to 4-6, with the two teams set to face off again Sunday in Orlando.
