Orlando, Fla. — Jaylen Brown poured in 27 points, and clutch shooting down the stretch lifted the Boston Celtics past the Orlando Magic, 111–107, on Sunday night.
Derrick White buried a deep three with 45 seconds to go, breaking a late tie and putting Boston up by four. Rookie Jordan Walsh then sealed the win, drilling another triple with just 13 seconds remaining to make it 110–105. White finished with 21 points.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 28 points, including 14 in a furious fourth-quarter push after spending much of the second half in foul trouble. Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs each added 20 points for the Magic.
Boston’s offense clicked early behind Anfernee Simons, who exploded for 25 points in the first half. Simons caught fire in the second quarter, hitting three 3-pointers and scoring the Celtics’ first 14 points of the period as they built an 11-point advantage.
Orlando rallied to tie the game by halftime and briefly went ahead 85–83 early in the fourth when Suggs hit a runner in the lane. But Boston’s bench responded with a 13–0 surge led by Luka Garza (16 points, eight rebounds in 17 minutes) and Hugo Gonzalez, pushing the Celtics back up by 11 with under six minutes to play.
Banchero’s turnaround jumper cut the deficit to one with 59 seconds remaining, but the Magic couldn’t finish the comeback.
Boston’s perimeter shooting proved decisive — the Celtics went 13-for-33 (39.4%) from deep, including 5-for-8 in the final quarter. Orlando struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 7-of-30 (23.3%).
Up Next:
Celtics: Visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
Magic: Host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
