Magic Hold Off Pacers in High-Scoring Thriller, Hand Indiana Historic 12th Straight Loss
Sunday afternoon at the Kia Center was less of a basketball game and more of a heavyweight prize fight, with both teams trading blows until the final bell.
In a contest where defense seemed optional and shot-making was at a premium, the Orlando Magic outlasted the Indiana Pacers 135-127. While the scoreboard lit up for both sides, the emotional weight of the outcome couldn’t have been heavier for Indiana. The loss marked their 12th consecutive defeat, tying a heartbreaking franchise record that has stood for 43 years.
For Orlando, it was a testament to resilience and offensive firepower. For Indiana, it was another gut-wrenching chapter in a season that is quickly spiraling out of control.
Bane and Banchero Lead the Magic Surge
Without Jalen Suggs in the lineup, the Magic needed their stars to align, and they did exactly that. Desmond Bane was nothing short of spectacular, pouring in a team-high 31 points. He was the engine that kept the offense humming, adding six rebounds and six assists to a stat line that only tells half the story. Bane’s ability to attack the rim and stretch the floor kept the Pacers’ defense in a constant state of panic.
Right there with him was Paolo Banchero, who continues to look like the cornerstone of this franchise. Banchero notched a monster double-double with 28 points and 12 rebounds. When the game slowed down and the Magic needed a bucket to stop an Indiana run, they put the ball in Banchero’s hands, and he delivered.
But it wasn’t just a two-man show. Anthony Black stepped up massively, orchestrating the offense with the poise of a ten-year veteran. Black finished with 27 points and dished out 10 assists, dissecting the Pacers’ defense and finding shooters in rhythm all night long.
A Historic Slump for Indiana
You have to feel for the Pacers. Coming into Orlando, they were desperate. They played like a team tired of losing, shooting a blistering 55.2% from the field—a massive improvement for a squad that entered the game with the league’s worst field-goal percentage.
Pascal Siakam did everything he could to will his team to victory, dropping 34 points and looking unstoppable in the third quarter, where he scored 20. Aaron Nesmith added 25 points, and Andrew Nembhard chipped in 20 points and 11 assists. On paper, those numbers usually result in a win.
But basketball isn’t played on paper. Despite holding an early 12-point lead, the Pacers couldn’t sustain the momentum. The ghosts of the last 11 games seemed to haunt them down the stretch. They fought back to take a one-point lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but they couldn’t close the door.
Magic Offense Explodes in Crucial Moments
The turning point came when the Magic flipped the switch defensively and ignited a 17-0 run to erase that early deficit. That burst of energy changed the complexion of the game, proving that Orlando could punch back just as hard.
Down the stretch, it was all about execution. After Indiana reclaimed the lead briefly in the fourth, the Magic responded with cold-blooded precision. Bane converted a tough layup to retake the lead, and moments later, he found Banchero for a dagger three-pointer that sent the Kia Center crowd into a frenzy.
Orlando shot 56% from the field and connected on 15 of their 32 attempts from deep. In a league driven by efficiency, the Magic were simply sharper when it mattered most.
What’s Next for Orlando
This win moves the Magic to 20-16, keeping them firmly in the mix in the Southeast Division. It was their second win over Indiana in five days, cementing their dominance in this particular matchup. With the offense clicking and players like Black stepping up in the absence of key starters, Orlando looks poised to make a push as the season heads toward the All-Star break.
They’ll look to keep the momentum rolling as they head to Washington on Tuesday night. As for the Pacers, they return home to face Cleveland, staring down the barrel of history they desperately want to avoid making.
