Overview
- Orlando beat Sacramento on Thursday in Orlando to halt a six-game losing streak and move back into a tie for the East’s No. 8 play-in spot.
- Paolo Banchero led with 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Desmond Bane added 23 in what was Banchero’s third straight 30-point game and his 25th 30-5-5 outing per AP.
- Jalen Suggs returned from illness after two missed games and finished with eight points and four assists in 34 minutes, capping the night with a clutch three in the final half-minute.
- DeMar DeRozan had 33 points and 11 assists for short-handed Sacramento, which was missing starters such as Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine, while Daeqwon Plowden chipped in 23 points.
- Outlets differed on the final score, with the Associated Press reporting 111-107 and Field Level Media/Deadspin listing 121-117, though all confirm the Magic’s win and its standings impact.