Live Update: Celtics Aim to Stay Unbeaten in NBA Cup
The Boston Celtics visited the Orlando Magic on Friday night, hoping to maintain a perfect 2-0 record in the 2025 NBA Cup group stage.
Game Summary
Despite strong efforts from Jaylen Brown and Anfernee Simons in the second half, the Magic outperformed the Celtics during crunch time, securing a 123-110 win at the Kia Center. This marked Boston's first defeat in Group B of the tournament.
Player Performances
- Jaylen Brown: Scored a game-high 32 points, with 18 coming in the second half on 15-for-28 shooting.
- Anfernee Simons: Added all 11 of his points during the fourth quarter, shooting 4-for-8.
Game Flow
The Magic surged early, quickly establishing a 16-point cushion midway through the first quarter thanks to a hot offensive start. Orlando finished the first half shooting 49% from the field and an impressive 50% from three-point range (9-for-18).
Boston narrowed the gap in the third quarter through Brown’s scoring and improved defense. Derrick White gave Boston its first lead since early in the game with a fourth-quarter basket.
However, Orlando answered decisively, closing the game with a 28-14 run over the final six minutes to seal their victory.
"The Magic made more plays in crunch time and earned a 123-110 victory against the Celtics at Kia Center."
Upcoming Games
The Celtics now hold a 1-1 record in the NBA Cup and will face the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets later this month.
Author’s summary: The Celtics suffered their first NBA Cup loss as the Magic's strong start and late-game surge proved decisive in a tightly contested matchup.