Orlando Magic fall to Boston Celtics in close game

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley and players discuss the narrow loss to the Celtics

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:21am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an NBA basketball game in motion, with fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes of color representing the players, court, and crowd.The Orlando Magic's narrow loss to the Boston Celtics showcases the team's growth, even in defeat, as they compete with the Eastern Conference's top contenders.Today in Orlando

The Orlando Magic fell to the Boston Celtics in a hard-fought game, with the final score ending 102-99 in favor of the Celtics. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley and several players spoke to the media after the game, discussing the team's performance, key moments, and areas for improvement.

Why it matters

The Orlando Magic are in the midst of a rebuilding season, so close losses to top Eastern Conference teams like the Celtics are an important learning experience for the young squad. Fans are eager to see the team's progress and development as they work to return to the playoffs.

The details

The Magic led for much of the game, but the Celtics were able to mount a late comeback to secure the victory. Orlando's Wendell Carter Jr. had a strong game, recording a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. However, the team struggled to contain Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who scored a game-high 32 points.

  • The game was played on April 12, 2026.
  • The postgame interviews took place immediately following the final buzzer.

The players

Jamahl Mosley

Head coach of the Orlando Magic.

Wendell Carter Jr.

Starting center for the Orlando Magic who had a double-double in the game.

Jayson Tatum

All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics who scored a game-high 32 points.

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What they’re saying

“We had our chances, but just couldn't quite get over the hump tonight. Proud of the effort from our guys, but we'll learn from this and come back stronger.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Head Coach, Orlando Magic

“Tatum is such a tough cover. We tried to make it tough on him, but he still found ways to score. We'll go back and look at the film to see how we can do better next time.”

— Wendell Carter Jr., Starting Center, Orlando Magic

What’s next

The Magic will look to bounce back in their next game against the Toronto Raptors on April 14th.

The takeaway

Despite the loss, the Orlando Magic showed fight and competitiveness against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. With continued development of their young core, the future remains bright for this rebuilding franchise.