Celtics Fall to Magic in NBA Cup Group Play
The Boston Celtics visited the Orlando Magic on Friday night aiming to remain unbeaten in Group B of the 2025 NBA Cup but fell short, losing 123–110 at the Kia Center. The defeat marked Boston’s first loss in group competition, moving them to a 1–1 record with upcoming matches against the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets.
Game Summary
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with a game-high 32 points, shooting 15-for-28 from the field, including 18 points in the second half. Anfernee Simons added 11 points, all scored in the fourth quarter, going 4-for-8 from the floor.
Orlando dominated early, building a 16-point advantage midway through the first quarter thanks to efficient shooting. The Magic hit 49 percent of their shots overall and went 9-for-18 from beyond the arc in the first half.
Turning Points
Boston rallied behind Brown’s scoring and improved defense in the third quarter. A late basket by Simons gave the Celtics their first lead since early in the opening period. However, Orlando answered decisively, closing the game on a 28–14 run over the final six minutes to seal the victory.
Quote
"Orlando built a 16-point lead midway through the first quarter after a scorching-hot start on the offensive end."
With this result, the Celtics’ next challenge will be to bounce back in their remaining group-stage games and keep their NBA Cup hopes alive.
Author’s Summary
The Celtics’ strong second half wasn’t enough to overcome Orlando’s hot start, as the Magic’s closing run handed Boston its first NBA Cup group loss of the season.