Magic Vs Lakers: Carter’s Rebound and Banchero’s 36 Give Orlando a 110-109 Win

In a frenetic finish at Crypto. com Arena on Feb. 24, 2026, the Orlando Magic edged the Los Angeles Lakers 110-109 after Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 6. 7 seconds left. The magic vs lakers showdown was decided in the final possession when LeBron James’ off-balance shot missed as time expired.

Wendell Carter Jr. and Paolo Banchero swing the score

Paolo Banchero delivered a game-high 36 points and his presence in the paint kept the Magic within striking distance throughout. Late in the game Banchero missed a jumper; Wendell Carter Jr. then secured the offensive rebound and scored, putting Orlando ahead 110-109 with 6. 7 seconds remaining. The sequence directly produced the final lead the Magic needed to win.

LeBron James’ final attempt at Crypto. com Arena

LeBron James finished with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists but could not convert on the last shot. After the Lakers’ timeout following Carter’s putback, the inbounds play did not yield a clean look and James’ off-balance turnaround three as the clock expired failed to fall. That miss ended the Lakers’ chance to answer and sealed the 110-109 result.

Luka Doncic’s late decision and first-quarter eye poke by Mo Wager

Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 22 points but struggled from the field, going 8-for-24 and 2-for-10 from three-point range. In the closing seconds he received the inbounds pass and was wide open behind the arc but chose to pass to James as the clock ran down. Earlier in the game Doncic was poked in the eye by Orlando’s Mo Wager, producing a red mark beneath his eye; he stayed down for a spell and then, on the next possession, drilled a three, signaling his vision was clear.

Fourth-quarter swings: Hachimura, Bane and James’ post work

The fourth quarter featured a string of tight exchanges. Rui Hachimura hit a corner three off a pass from Doncic to put the Lakers up 106-103 with 2: 14 remaining. Banchero responded with a score in the paint and was fouled by Deandre Ayton; Banchero missed the ensuing free throw, leaving the Lakers ahead 106-105 with 1: 18 to play. James then worked in the post over Anthony Black, drew a foul and made 1 of 2 free throws to make it 107-105. Desmond Bane answered with a three to give Orlando a 108-107 lead with 34. 6 seconds left, forcing a Lakers timeout. Hachimura missed a three on the next possession but the Lakers retained control; Doncic found James cutting for a dunk that put Los Angeles ahead 109-108 before Carter’s decisive rebound and score.

Deandre Ayton’s production and organizational notes

Deandre Ayton showed increased activity, totaling 21 points and 13 rebounds for his first double-double since Jan. 30. He had 17 points on six-for-eight shooting and six rebounds in the first half. Team executives also factored into the night’s narrative: new Lakers executive Lon Rosen said he hopes season-ticket holders will "renew" them despite an enormous increase for next season, a comment tied to broader club finances and fan engagement.

What makes this notable is how late-game rebounding and shot selection directly determined the outcome: Orlando finished with 12 offensive rebounds, a tangible advantage that produced the final, decisive points. The Lakers fall to 34-23, left to assess late execution after a one-point defeat in a game that swung possession by possession.