Magic Escape Utah with Thrilling Overtime Victory 128-127 Behind Bane’s Heroics

It wasn’t pretty, and for a long stretch in the fourth quarter, it looked like a total collapse was imminent for the Magic.

Desmond Bane delivered when it mattered most, slicing through the lane for a game-winning layup with just 0.9 seconds remaining in overtime, lifting the Orlando Magic to a heart-stopping 128-127 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.

Bane’s clutch finish capped a frantic sequence that saw the Jazz—who trailed by as many as 19 points—take a late lead on a miraculous four-point play by Keyonte George. Yet, the Magic showed the kind of resilience that separates playoff hopefuls from lottery teams, shaking off the shock of the comeback to steal one on the road in Salt Lake City.

Bane finished with a team-high 32 points, but none were bigger than the final two.

“He knows how to make winning plays and winning shots,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said of his shooting guard. It was the second time this season Bane has hit a game-winner, cementing his status as one of the league’s most reliable closers.

Magic Squander Massive Lead Before OT Drama

For the first three quarters, this looked like a routine night at the office for Orlando.

Behind a balanced attack and suffocating defense, the Magic built what felt like an insurmountable 97-78 lead in the fourth quarter. They had used a blistering 19-2 run to blow the game open, capitalizing on a Jazz team missing their star forward, Lauri Markkanen. Everything was clicking. Paolo Banchero was orchestrating the offense, rookie Noah Penda was cleaning the glass, and the ball was moving crisply.

Then, the momentum shifted violently.

Utah, refusing to roll over in front of their home crowd, began chipping away. Led by George (27 points) and veteran Kevin Love (16 points, 16 rebounds), the Jazz defense tightened up, forcing Orlando into stagnant isolation sets. The Delta Center got louder with every bucket as the lead evaporated.

With 5.2 seconds left in regulation, Jazz sophomore Isaiah Collier drove hard to the rim, finishing a contested layup to tie the game at 118. Orlando had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but the shot didn’t fall, sending the game into an extra period that nobody saw coming just 15 minutes earlier.

Bane and Banchero Lead the Way

While the collapse was concerning, the response was champion-level.

Paolo Banchero flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. He also added two blocks, anchoring the defense when rotations broke down. His playmaking in overtime was crucial, drawing attention and finding open shooters.

Anthony Black continued his strong season with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists, providing a steady hand in the backcourt. But the surprise of the night was rookie Noah Penda. Penda was a force of nature off the bench, tallying 13 points and 12 rebounds (seven on the offensive glass) in just 24 minutes.

“There’s no doubt we have the utmost confidence in him,” Bane said of Penda.

Jazz Resilience Falls Just Short

You have to give credit to Utah. Without their best player, they fought tooth and nail.

Keyonte George was spectacular down the stretch. His step-back three-pointer from the corner—while being fouled—with 4.1 seconds left in overtime was the kind of shot that makes careers. He sank the free throw to put Utah up 127-126, sending the arena into a frenzy. It looked like the dagger.

Svi Mykhailiuk also provided a spark, pouring in 23 points and hitting 5-of-8 from deep. But ultimately, the hole they dug in the first half was just too deep, and their defense couldn’t get one final stop against Bane.

What This Win Means for the Magic

This was a character win for Orlando (16-12).

It’s easy to fold when you blow a 19-point lead on the road. The crowd is against you, the momentum is gone, and doubt starts to creep in. But the Magic stayed composed. They executed their final play to perfection, getting their best scorer downhill with a chance to win.

With the victory, the Magic maintain their solid standing in the Southeast Division and build momentum heading into a tough matchup against Golden State on Monday.

For a young team looking to make noise in the postseason, winning ugly is a necessary skill. Tonight, they proved they have it.