Magic vs Lakers: Luka Doncic and LeBron James explain NBA drama after Paolo Banchero steals show

The Orlando Magic won 110-109 at the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA on Tuesday after LeBron James missed a three-pointer with under three seconds remaining on the clock.

Luka Doncic had a chance to decide the result as part of the move when James found his team-mate on the left beyond the three-point line, only for the Slovenian to opt not to shoot.

The Magic now have four straight wins over the Lakers since November 2023, with Paolo Banchero scoring 36 points with 10 rebounds and and Desmond Bane adding 22 points.

Analysis: Luka Doncic and JJ Redick on LA Lakers’ loss

When center Wendell Carter Jr put the Magic one ahead with 6.7 seconds remaining, the Lakers called a timeout before James provided Doncic with his golden chance.

“I just saw him open,” Doncic said of his decision to eventually return the pass to James, who took aim from 27 feet. “I didn’t want to lose the ball and we didn’t have timeouts.

“I thought I was getting a clean look, but that’s on me. I thought there was enough time to get a better look.”

Coach JJ Redick said he had not “really had a chance to get into it with Luka”. “We ran a play for him to get a look and I felt like we had a decent shot,” Redick added.

Magic win on a thrilling sequence!

The biggest of @wendellcarter34's 12 boards and 20 points leads Orlando to its 6th win in 8 games 🔥 https://t.co/FhfOvkDuFs pic.twitter.com/DSgFtR2CUU

— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2026

LeBron James: Doncic ‘had a good look’ against Magic

James suggested the fine margin of defeat offered little consolation. “There were a lot of bang-bang plays to finish that game off,” observed the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player.

“We made shots. We had a good opportunity. We didn’t get the shot we wanted. You’d have to ask Luka what he saw on that.

“He had a good look and it looked like he kind of lost his balance, didn’t have a rhythm with the ball, whatever the case may be.

“I was kind of off balance when he gave it to me. I thought he had a great look.”

Luka can fly 🪄 pic.twitter.com/6Xmu754IMm

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 25, 2026

NBA schedule: What’s next for the Magic and Lakers?

The Lakers, who are sixth in the Western Conference and 5-5 after a second straight defeat, return to NBA action at the Phoenix Suns on Thursday (21:00 ET / 18:00 PT / 02:00 on Friday GMT).

“You don’t have much time to really think,” accepted James. “We are playing every other day, back to back. I didn’t even know what today was when I woke up.”

The Magic are seventh in the Eastern Conference and 6-4 after consecutive wins. Their next game is at home to the Houston Rockets on Thursday (19:30 ET / 16:30 PT / 00:30 on Friday GMT).

NBA results: Tuesday, February 24, 2026