LOS ANGELES (AP) — Wendell Carter Jr. made a go-ahead putback with 6.7 seconds to play, Paolo Banchero scored 36 points and the Orlando Magic finished a strong West Coast trip with a 110-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
LeBron James missed a fallaway 3-point attempt on the final shot by the Lakers, who went 4-4 on a disappointing homestand spanning the All-Star break. Los Angeles has lost four of six and fallen into sixth place in the West, repeatedly failing to beat playoff-caliber teams.
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick gestures to players during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) dribbles with the ball past Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) and Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) react at the end of the game as the Orlando Magic defeat the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) reacts after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) reacts after shooting a 3-point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Desmond Bane scored 22 points and Carter had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, who have won six of eight overall after taking three of four on the road out of the break. That surge — capped by their fourth consecutive win over the Lakers — has moved the Magic within a half-game of sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Orlando rallied from an early double-digit deficit to take a five-point lead with 5 1/2 minutes left, but Rui Hachimura hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:14 to play for the Lakers. Bane drilled a go-ahead 3 with 34.6 seconds left, but Doncic found James under the basket for a dunk to reclaim the lead.
After Carter scored on the Magic's second offensive rebound of their final possession, Luka Doncic belatedly got the ball to James, whose desperation shot didn't go.
Doncic had 22 points and 15 assists, while James and Deandre Ayton scored 21 apiece for the Lakers. Austin Reaves scored all 18 of his points in the second half.
The Lakers' turnovers and the Magic's poor 3-point shooting kept the game close through three quarters.
Orlando starting guard Jalen Suggs missed his third straight game with a back strain.
Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes remained out with an ankle injury.
Magic: Host Houston on Thursday.
Lakers: At Phoenix on Thursday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick gestures to players during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) dribbles with the ball past Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) and Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) react at the end of the game as the Orlando Magic defeat the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) reacts after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) reacts after shooting a 3-point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
