Magic Defeat Shorthanded Bucks in Sunday Matchup

Orlando takes advantage of Milwaukee's missing stars to win big at home

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Orlando Magic took down the Milwaukee Bucks 119-92 on Sunday night, taking advantage of the Bucks playing without stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Porter Jr. The Magic, led by strong performances from Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane, have now won three straight games and sit in 6th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Why it matters

This game highlights the importance of star power in the NBA, as the Bucks struggled mightily without their two leading scorers. The Magic, on the other hand, have been playing well lately and are solidifying their position in the playoff race in the East.

The details

The Bucks were without Antetokounmpo, who was resting, and Porter Jr., who is dealing with a knee injury. This left Milwaukee shorthanded and unable to keep up with the surging Magic. Orlando took advantage, led by Banchero and Bane who have both been averaging around 25 points per game since the All-Star break. The Magic also played strong defense, ranking 7th in defensive rating over their last 9 games.

  • The Bucks and Magic split a mini-series of back-to-back games last month.
  • The Magic won this matchup on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The former MVP for the Bucks, who was out for rest purposes after just returning from a 15-game absence due to a hamstring injury.

Kevin Porter Jr.

The Bucks' leading scorer this season, averaging 16.2 points per game, who was ruled out with a knee injury.

Paolo Banchero

The Magic's star rookie, who has been averaging around 25 points per game since the All-Star break.

Desmond Bane

The Magic's other leading scorer since the All-Star break, also averaging around 25 points per game.

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What they’re saying

“It's hard to have any confidence in the Bucks without Antetokounmpo and Porter Jr., and the ascending Magic should get a win tonight, possibly with ease.”

— Alex Hunter, Sports Analyst (draftkings.com)

What’s next

The Bucks will look to bounce back in their next game, while the Magic will try to continue their strong play and solidify their playoff position.

The takeaway

This game showcases the importance of star power in the NBA, as the Bucks struggled mightily without their two leading scorers. The Magic, on the other hand, have been playing well as a team and are taking advantage of their opponents' weaknesses to climb the standings in the Eastern Conference.