Luka Doncic and LeBron James explain NBA drama after Paolo Banchero steals show

The Orlando Magic gained 110-109 on the Los Angeles Lakers within the NBA on Tuesday after LeBron James missed a three-pointer with below three seconds remaining on the clock.

Luka Doncic had an opportunity to determine the outcome as a part of the transfer when James discovered his team-mate on the left past the three-point line, just for the Slovenian to decide to not shoot.

The Magic now have 4 straight wins over the Lakers since November 2023, with Paolo Banchero scoring 36 factors with 10 rebounds and and Desmond Bane including 22 factors.

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

When middle Wendell Carter Jr put the Magic one forward with 6.7 seconds remaining, the Lakers referred to as a timeout earlier than James offered Doncic along with his golden likelihood.

“I simply noticed him open,” Doncic stated of his determination to ultimately return the cross to James, who took purpose from 27 toes. “I didn’t wish to lose the ball and we didn’t have timeouts.

“I believed I used to be getting a clear look, however that’s on me. I believed there was sufficient time to get a greater look.”

Coach JJ Redick stated he had not “actually had an opportunity to get into it with Luka”. “We ran a play for him to get a glance and I felt like we had a good shot,” Redick added.

Magic win on an exciting sequence!

The largest of @wendellcarter34’s 12 boards and 20 factors leads Orlando to its sixth win in 8 video games 🔥 https://t.co/FhfOvkDuFs pic.twitter.com/DSgFtR2CUU

— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2026

LeBron James: Doncic ‘had look’ in opposition to Magic

James steered the fantastic margin of defeat supplied little comfort. “There have been quite a lot of bang-bang performs to complete that sport off,” noticed the four-time NBA Most Useful Participant.

“We made photographs. We had alternative. We didn’t get the shot we wished. You’d should ask Luka what he noticed on that.

“He had look and it seemed like he form of misplaced his steadiness, didn’t have a rhythm with the ball, regardless of the case could also be.

“I used to be form of off steadiness when he gave it to me. I believed he had an important look.”

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

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

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

The Lakers, who’re sixth within the Western Convention and 5-5 after a second straight defeat, return to NBA motion on the Phoenix Suns on Thursday (21:00 ET / 18:00 PT / 02:00 on Friday GMT).

“You don’t have a lot time to actually assume,” accepted James. “We’re enjoying each different day, again to again. I didn’t even know what right now was once I awoke.”

The Magic are seventh within the Japanese Convention and 6-4 after consecutive wins. Their subsequent sport is at residence to the Houston Rockets on Thursday (19:30 ET / 16:30 PT / 00:30 on Friday GMT).

NBA outcomes: Tuesday, February 24, 2026