March 11, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) scores against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylen Tyson (20) in the second quarter at the Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Image Desmond Bane scored 35 points, including five in the final 18 seconds, as the Orlando Magic beat the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 128-122 on Wednesday night.
Paulo Banzero had 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Tristan da Silva added 23 points for the surging Magic. Wendell Carter Jr. had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Orlando extended its winning streak to five and tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference with the Toronto Raptors. Cleveland is in fourth place, three games ahead of the two.
Bane buried a difficult 3-pointer and made two free throws after Cleveland got within 122-120 on Donovan Mitchell’s 3-pointer. There were 12 lead changes, but none in the fourth quarter.
James Harden scored 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, his most since joining the Cavaliers in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points and Keon Ellis had 20 off the bench for Cleveland, which lost for the fourth time in its last seven games. Evan Mobley had 18 points and 13 rebounds but was 2 of 7 from the foul line.
The turning point came in the third when Orlando scored seven straight points after the Cavaliers won a replay challenge to take their largest lead up to that stage at 96-86.
Clark was called for a technical by official Ed Malloy as he motioned to the Cavaliers bench to challenge Jett Howard for his foul. On review, it was changed to a block, but Bane made a free throw and added a 3-point play.
Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson played zone defense in the second inning and tied the score at halftime with 62 points. Banchero scored 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Mitchell and Harden each scored 16 points.
Bane and da Silva each scored eight points and stopped seven of nine field goal attempts in the first quarter to give Orlando a 38-35 advantage. Mitchell led all players with 12 points, and Harden did not miss 8 points.
The Cavaliers won the teams’ first two meetings by 14 and 16 points, respectively. They conclude the season series in Cleveland on March 24, but could meet in the opening round of the playoffs as Orlando continues to climb the standings.
Forward Franz Wagner (left ankle sprain) and guard Anthony Black (abdominal muscle strain) are out indefinitely for the Magic.
Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (right knee tendonitis) and rookie guard Tyrese Proctor (right quadriceps strain) have both missed their third straight game.
–Field level media
