Magic Defeat Shorthanded Celtics in Low-Scoring Affair

Boston's reserves struggle to score as Orlando wins big on the road

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:31pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a basketball game between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics. The players' forms are deconstructed into abstract geometric shapes and colors, with the court and arena fading into the background, creating a conceptual representation of the game's dynamics.The Magic's balanced attack and the Celtics' offensive struggles are captured in this cubist-inspired illustration of their low-scoring clash.Boston Today

The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 98-82 in a low-scoring affair at TD Garden on Sunday night. With the Celtics missing several key players due to injury and illness, the Magic were able to take advantage and secure the victory despite a slow offensive performance.

Why it matters

This game highlights the challenges the Celtics are facing with their depleted roster, as they were unable to generate enough offense to keep up with the Magic. The loss drops Boston further down the Eastern Conference standings, making their path to the playoffs more difficult. For Orlando, the win helps solidify their position in the playoff race as they continue to push for a higher seed.

The details

The Magic were led by Paolo Banchero, who scored 22 points, while Jalen Suggs dished out 11 assists. On the Celtics' side, Luka Garza scored a team-high 17 points, but the rest of Boston's reserves struggled to make an impact. The Celtics' offense was stagnant throughout the game, managing just 82 points against a Magic defense that has been vulnerable at times this season.

  • The Magic and Celtics tipped off at 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • The Magic led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter before coasting to the 98-82 victory.

The players

Paolo Banchero

The Orlando Magic's leading scorer, who had 22 points in the win.

Jalen Suggs

The Magic's starting point guard, who recorded a double-double with 11 assists.

Luka Garza

A reserve center for the Boston Celtics, who led the team with 17 points.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a grind-it-out type of game, and our guys did a great job of sticking to the game plan and taking care of business on the road.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic Head Coach

“It's tough when you're missing so many key guys, but our guys fought hard and gave it their all. We just couldn't get enough shots to fall tonight.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics Interim Head Coach

What’s next

The Magic will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a higher playoff seed, while the Celtics will need to get healthier and find more consistent scoring if they hope to secure a postseason berth.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the importance of depth in the NBA, as the shorthanded Celtics were unable to match the Magic's production despite Boston's strong defensive effort. The loss puts more pressure on the Celtics to get healthy and find their offensive rhythm before the playoffs, while the Magic showed they can grind out wins even when their offense isn't at its best.