Magic Defeat Shorthanded Timberwolves in Low-Scoring Affair

Orlando maintains playoff position with 9.5-point home victory over Minnesota

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:39pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in vibrant colors depicts the action of a basketball game, with players' forms broken down into abstract shapes and planes, conveying the energy and competitive spirit of the matchup.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the defensive intensity and grind-it-out nature of the Magic's victory over the shorthanded Timberwolves.Cleveland Today

The Orlando Magic defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-92 in a low-scoring affair on Wednesday night. With the Timberwolves missing key players like Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert, the Magic were able to control the pace and grind out the victory at home. Paolo Banchero led the way for Orlando with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Why it matters

This win keeps the Magic firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, as they remain tied with the 76ers for the 6th seed. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are locked into the 6th seed in the West and seem to be resting players ahead of the postseason, leading to a less competitive matchup.

The details

The Magic jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished it, using their stifling defense to limit the Timberwolves' shorthanded offense. Orlando held Minnesota to just 92 points, well below their season average. Franz Wagner added 20 points and 5 rebounds for the Magic, while Desmond Bane chipped in 18 points. For the Timberwolves, Naz Reid led the way with 13 points and 6 rebounds.

  • The Magic and Timberwolves faced off for the second and final time this regular season.
  • This game took place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Paolo Banchero

The 2nd-year forward led the Magic with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Franz Wagner

The Magic's starting shooting guard scored 20 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

Naz Reid

With the Timberwolves missing several key players, Reid led Minnesota with 13 points and 6 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a grind-it-out game, and our guys really stepped up defensively to get the job done.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Magic Head Coach

“It's tough when you're missing so many of your top guys, but I'm proud of the effort our team gave tonight against a tough opponent.”

— Chris Finch, Timberwolves Head Coach

What’s next

The Magic will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a top-6 playoff seed in the East. The Timberwolves, with their playoff position largely secured, will likely continue to rest key players down the stretch.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Magic's defensive identity and their ability to grind out wins, even against shorthanded opponents. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves' decision to rest players ahead of the playoffs resulted in a less competitive matchup, underscoring the importance of health and rest as the postseason approaches.