Accuracy woes hurt Magic vs. Cavs in 3rd consecutive defeat

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Jan 24, 2026

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ORLANDO, Fla. — With the return of All-Defensive guard Jalen Suggs against the Cavaliers on Saturday, the Magic played with energy and effort early but slowed down during the second half inside Kia Center.

In a contest that was tied nine times and featured 12 lead changes, it was the Cavs who took control in the fourth quarter en route to a 119-105 victory.

Playing on the second night of a back-to-back after defeating the Kings at home on Friday night, the Cavs outshot the Magic from distance and forced the necessary stops to head home with a 14-point win.

Coach Jamahl Mosley’s squad, which dropped its third game in a row, scored 28 points off 17 takeaways. Cleveland (27-20), which won its third straight, notched 17 points off 16 Orlando turnovers.

The Magic (23-21) hit the road when they travel for a quick rematch with the Cavs in Cleveland on Monday.

Suggs’ return

Suggs made his way back to the court after missing the last eight games due to a right knee MCL contusion.

Suggs hit first his first stepback 3-pointer from the top of the key but picked up two fouls in the first quarter. He then earned his third foul with 38.2 seconds left in the first half.

Still, it was clear the difference Suggs (nine points) made by helping push the pace and distribute the ball (six assists) playing mostly 4-5-minute stints to total 24 minutes of action.

Rest of starters

Anthony Black remained in the starting lineup in place of Franz Wagner, who missed his second game in a row due to left ankle soreness, alongside regulars Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Wendell Carter Jr. and Suggs.

Black recorded 16 points, five rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes.

Bane was the lone member of the Magic to reach double figures prior to halftime, scoring 12 points by hitting a pair of 3s and attacking the basket. He didn’t hit again from distance in the second half, turned the ball over three times and ended with 20 points.

After missing his first three shots from thr3ee-point range, Banchero found his footing on the perimeter and knocked down three 3s in the fourth quarter. He scored 27 points in 38 minutes.

Difference from distance

Owners of the second-worst 3-point percentage in the league (34%), Orlando started 3 for 10 in the first quarter. It then shot 3 for 20 over the second and third quarters before it finished 11 for 40 (27.5%).

On the other end, Cleveland hit four 3-pointers in each of the first two frames and ended 15 for 34 (44.1%) from distance.

Those marks resulted in a 12-point difference in scoring from beyond the arc alone.

Rookie watch

First-round pick Jase Richardson was the first reserve off the Magic bench scored four points with two assists in 15 minutes.

Second-round pick Noah Penda also stepped onto the court late in the opening frame. The French forward played down the stretch of the game, registering three points and three rebounds in 16 minutes.