Magic Overcome 17-Point Deficit to Defeat Jazz

Young core leads Orlando's comeback win, as Jazz struggle with mid-season trade integration

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Orlando Magic overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the Utah Jazz 120-117 on Saturday night, showcasing the team's resilience and the growing importance of young talent development in the NBA. Paolo Banchero's 23-point performance, along with key contributions from Desmond Bane and Anthony Black, highlighted the Magic's reliance on their young core. Meanwhile, the Jazz are navigating a rebuild strategy following a mid-season trade, leading to integration challenges and recent struggles.

Why it matters

This game underscores the NBA's increasing parity, where no lead is safe and teams must demonstrate mental fortitude to overcome adversity. The Magic's comeback win exemplifies the league-wide trend of prioritizing player development and building chemistry among younger athletes, which can lead to sustained competitiveness. The Jazz's trade dynamics and integration challenges also illustrate the complexities teams face when making mid-season roster changes.

The details

The Magic's victory was fueled by a strong performance from their young stars. Paolo Banchero scored 23 points, while Desmond Bane and Anthony Black added 22 and 21 points, respectively. This highlights the Magic's growing reliance on their developing core, a strategy mirrored by other teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The Jazz, meanwhile, are navigating a rebuild following a trade that brought in Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, and Vince Williams Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies. Integrating new players mid-season has proven challenging, contributing to the Jazz's recent struggles, which include losing 18 of their last 22 games.

  • The Magic's 120-117 victory over the Jazz took place on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
  • The Jazz have lost 18 of their last 22 games.

The players

Paolo Banchero

A young star for the Orlando Magic, scoring 23 points in the comeback win.

Desmond Bane

A key contributor for the Magic, scoring 22 points in the game.

Anthony Black

A rising young player for the Magic, scoring 21 points in the victory.

Lauri Markkanen

The leading scorer for the Utah Jazz, with 27 points in the loss.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A new addition to the Jazz roster following a mid-season trade from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This comeback win speaks volumes about our team's character and ability to adapt. We never gave up, and that resilience is going to be crucial as we continue to grow and compete in this league.”

— Paolo Banchero (Orlando Sentinel)

“Integrating new players mid-season is always a challenge, and we're still working to find the right chemistry and fit. But I'm confident that with time and effort, we can build something special here in Utah.”

— Lauri Markkanen, Jazz Forward (Salt Lake Tribune)

What’s next

The Magic face a tough test as they host the Milwaukee Bucks twice in quick succession, which will reveal how far they've progressed. The Jazz, meanwhile, will look to integrate their new players as they take on the Miami Heat on the road.

The takeaway

This game highlights the growing importance of resilience and young talent development in the NBA. Teams that can overcome adversity and consistently rely on their developing cores will have a significant advantage in the increasingly competitive league landscape.