In a stunning upset that shook the NBA Cup tournament, the Orlando Magic delivered a defensive masterclass in crunch time to defeat Eastern Conference leaders Detroit Pistons 112-109 on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Bane's Brilliance Secures Group Victory
Desmond Bane emerged as the hero for Orlando, putting together a spectacular individual performance that included 37 crucial points and two vital offensive rebounds when it mattered most. His efforts ensured the Magic completed their group stage campaign with a perfect 4-0 record, claiming top spot in East Group B and advancing to the knockout round of the NBA Cup.
The victory came despite an outstanding triple-double performance from Detroit's Cade Cunningham, who posted impressive numbers with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Franz Wagner provided valuable support for the Magic with 21 points, while Tobias Harris contributed 18 points for the Pistons and Jalen Duren added 16 points with 12 rebounds.
Crunch Time Heroics Define Magic Victory
The game reached its climax in the final minutes with both teams exchanging blows. Bane's three-point play with 2:11 remaining gave Orlando a 108-106 lead, which Wagner immediately extended to four points with a well-executed layup.
Detroit responded with a Harris 3-pointer, but Cunningham's turnover at the 1:03 mark proved costly. Orlando then survived multiple missed opportunities thanks to Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. securing key offensive rebounds, allowing Jalen Suggs to sink two decisive free throws with just 6.3 seconds remaining, pushing the Magic ahead 112-109.
Dramatic Final Sequence Seals Outcome
The game's final possession provided heart-stopping drama as Cunningham missed his first free throw, intentionally missed the second, and remarkably grabbed the offensive rebound. He quickly passed to Duncan Robinson for what could have been the game-tying three-pointer, but Anthony Black's timely block preserved Orlando's hard-fought victory.
The loss ended Detroit's impressive 13-game winning streak and dropped them to 2-2 in NBA Cup play, eliminating them from tournament advancement. Despite this setback, the Pistons maintain their lead in the regular-season standings with a 15-4 record, while the Magic sit in seventh place with a 12-8 record.
