Suns Soar Past Struggling Magic in Orlando

Phoenix's Devin Booker shines as Orlando's playoff hopes fade

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:39pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic, with the players and action on the court represented by overlapping, fragmented shapes and planes in the teams' official colors.The Suns' victory over the Magic showcases the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, with Phoenix's balanced attack and Devin Booker's star power proving too much for a struggling Orlando squad.Today in Orlando

The Phoenix Suns continued their strong play with a victory over the struggling Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. Led by star guard Devin Booker's impressive performance, the Suns were able to pull away from the home team and secure the win, further cementing their position as a formidable playoff contender.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, with the Suns solidifying their standing as a potential postseason threat, while the Magic's playoff hopes took a hit with another disappointing loss. The outcome underscores the Suns' ability to win on the road, even on the second night of a back-to-back, and raises questions about the Magic's ability to turn their season around.

The details

The Suns were led by Devin Booker, who poured in a game-high 31 points, showcasing his scoring prowess. Phoenix's balanced attack and stifling defense proved too much for an Orlando team that has struggled to find consistency in recent weeks. The Magic's inability to slow down the Suns' offense and generate enough offense of their own ultimately doomed their chances of pulling off the upset.

  • The Suns entered the game on the second night of a back-to-back, having played the previous evening.
  • The Magic have now lost 7 of their last 8 games, falling further behind in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The players

Devin Booker

The star guard for the Phoenix Suns, Booker led his team with a game-high 31 points, showcasing his scoring prowess and helping the Suns secure the victory.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns continued their strong play, demonstrating their ability to win on the road even on the second night of a back-to-back, further cementing their status as a potential playoff contender.

Orlando Magic

The Magic's playoff hopes took a hit with another disappointing loss, as they have now lost 7 of their last 8 games, struggling to find consistency and generate enough offense to compete with the visiting Suns.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, but our guys came out focused and ready to play. Devin [Booker] led the way, and the rest of the team stepped up to get the job done.”

— Monty Williams, Head Coach, Phoenix Suns

“We're just not playing with the same energy and urgency that we need to be a playoff team. We have to figure out how to turn this around quickly, or our season is going to slip away.”

— Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Orlando Magic

What’s next

The Suns will look to build on this road victory as they continue their push for a high playoff seed in the Western Conference. The Magic, on the other hand, will need to quickly find a way to turn their season around and regain their footing in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the contrasting trajectories of the Suns and Magic, with Phoenix solidifying its status as a legitimate playoff contender and Orlando struggling to keep pace in the crowded Eastern Conference. Devin Booker's standout performance for the Suns was a key factor in the outcome, underscoring the team's depth and ability to win on the road, even in challenging circumstances.