The Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 97-91 at Kia Center in Orlando on Sunday, November 1, 2026, extending their winning streak to five games.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 28 points, while Anthony Black paced Orlando with 21.
The Celtics improved to 5-1, while the Magic fell to 2-4 after a closely contested game that remained within reach through the final quarter.
Table of Contents
Celtics vs Magic stays close until the finish
Boston took a 24-23 lead after the opening quarter and created separation with a 31-point second period.
The Celtics led 55-50 at halftime.
Orlando answered in the third quarter, outscoring Boston 24-22 to cut the deficit to three points entering the final period, according to the official play-by-play.
The Celtics then held their composure late, outscoring the Magic 20-17 in the fourth quarter to secure the six-point victory.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 24 | 31 | 22 | 20 | 97 |
| Orlando Magic | 23 | 27 | 24 | 17 | 91 |
Tatum leads Boston’s balanced effort
Tatum supplied the game’s highest scoring total with 28 points, helping Boston overcome a relatively quiet night from beyond the arc.
The Celtics made 11 of 42 three-point attempts, but made up ground with 20 successful free throws and 27 assists.
Paul George added 14 points, six rebounds and eight assists for Boston.
Luka Garza scored 12 points, while Baylor Scheierman contributed 10 points off the bench.
Payton Pritchard, who had scored 28 and 30 points in Boston’s previous two victories, finished with seven points, five rebounds and three assists.
Magic fight back but cannot complete the comeback
Orlando received 21 points from Black and 22 from Franz Wagner, but the Magic could not convert their third-quarter push into a late lead.
The Magic shot more accurately overall, making 44.4 per cent of their field-goal attempts compared with Boston’s 41.8 per cent.
Orlando also held a 51-44 advantage on the glass.
Boston’s defensive pressure helped offset those differences.
The Celtics forced 15 turnovers and recorded eight steals, while committing nine turnovers of their own.
What the result means
The victory gives Boston a 5-1 record early in the 2026-27 regular season and continues a strong response after the Celtics opened the campaign with a loss to Detroit.
For Orlando, the defeat drops the Magic to 2-4.
The team had entered the game after splitting a two-game road set against Toronto and was seeking its first home win of the season.
The result also gives Boston momentum heading into its next game, while Orlando will look to correct its late-game execution and improve its defensive consistency.
Final numbers from Celtics vs Magic
- Final score: Boston Celtics 97, Orlando Magic 91
- Leading scorer: Jayson Tatum, 28 points
- Orlando’s leading scorer: Anthony Black, 21 points
- Boston record: 5-1
- Orlando record: 2-4
- Venue: Kia Center, Orlando
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Celtics vs Magic game on November 1, 2026?
The Boston Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 97-91 at Kia Center in Orlando.
How many points did Jayson Tatum score against the Magic?
Jayson Tatum scored 28 points for Boston.
Who led the Orlando Magic in scoring?
Anthony Black led Orlando with 21 points.
What are the Celtics’ and Magic’s records after the game?
Boston improved to 5-1, while Orlando fell to 2-4.
Where was the Celtics vs Magic game played?
The game was played at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
Fact-Checked: The final score, player totals, quarter breakdown and team records were checked against the NBA’s official game information and play-by-play record. ([nba.com](https://www.nba.com/game/bos-vs-orl-0022600154/play-by-play))
Disclaimer: Game statistics and records reflect the official result available after the November 1, 2026 final whistle.