Desmond Bane converts 2 FT's in waning seconds as Magic nip Nuggets

Field Level Media|published: Sat 27th December, 22:12 2025

Dec 27, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) shoots a three point basket against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) during the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Anthony Black scored a career-high 38 points, Desmond Bane tallied 24, including two free throws with 6.9 seconds left, and the host Orlando Magic beat the Denver Nuggets 127-126 on Saturday night.

Black knocked down seven 3-pointers, also a career high, Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 18 points, Tristan da Silva had 17 and Paolo Banchero scored 12 for Orlando, which overcame Nikola Jokic's 16th triple-double of the season.

Jokic finished with 34 points, a season-high 21 rebounds and 12 assists for the 180th triple-double of his career, one behind Oscar Robertson for second all-time.

Jamal Murray added 24 points, but missed a fade-away jumper at the buzzer.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 20 points, Peyton Watson had 15, Spencer Jones finished with 14 and Julian Strawther had 13 for Denver, which has lost two straight on the road after an 11-game winning streak.

There were nine lead changes and six ties in the final quarter.

The Nuggets led by 11 early in the fourth quarter but Orlando rallied to lead 111-105 with 5:39 left. Jokic made two free throws but da Silva hit a 3-pointer to give the Magic their biggest lead of the night.

Orlando held a 117-114 lead when Jokic split a pair of free throws, Banchero missed at the other end, Hardaway drained a 3-pointer and Jokic made a floater to give the Nuggets a 120-117 lead with 1:47 remaining.

Black hit a short jumper and then had a steal and layup to put the Magic back in front with 1:06 left. Jokic and Bane each hit two free throws and Murray and da Silva traded jumpers to keep the Magic ahead 125-124 with 33 seconds left.

Carter fouled Jokic on a jump ball with 11.9 seconds remaining, and he made two more from the line to give Denver the lead again.

But Bane drew a foul on Bruce Brown and converted a pair of free throws with 6.9 left before Murray missed a 21-footer at the horn.

The Nuggets led 62-48 at halftime and 70-53 early in the third quarter before Orlando went on a 14-2 run to get within 72-67. Denver got the lead back to double digits and led 93-84 heading into the fourth.

Denver committed 16 turnovers and Orlando capitalized with 27 points, while the Magic only turned the ball over six times, resulting in four Nugget points.

--Field Level Media