NBA Playoffs: Magic, Bucks Bounce Back with Key Victories

Get the latest NBA playoff updates: Magic hold off Celtics 95-93, Bucks stun Pacers 117-101 with Gary Trent Jr.'s record-tying performance.

The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 116-104, taking a 2-1 lead in their playoff series. Despite a 38-point performance from LeBron James, the Timberwolves' Jaden McDaniels scored a career-high 30 points and Anthony Edwards added 29. The Timberwolves sealed the win with a 13-1 scoring run late in the game.

THAT WAS FUN. pic.twitter.com/ThG9gJmPOy

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 26, 2025

James's performance was historic, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's playoff record for points scored past the age of 40. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the Timberwolves' strong team effort. The series now shifts to Minnesota, where the Timberwolves will look to take a 3-1 lead in Game 4 on Sunday.

LeBron James had a remarkable all-around performance, adding 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocked shots to his 38 points. He made a trio of crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping keep the Lakers in contention. However, despite James's efforts, the Lakers couldn't hold off the Timberwolves' late surge.

Luka Doncic battled through a stomach ailment, even scoring a basket to tie the game at 103-103 with 4:37 remaining. However, Anthony Edwards responded with a three-pointer, and Naz Reid added another to extend the Timberwolves' lead. Edwards also blocked Rui Hachimura on a layup attempt, sealing the win as the Lakers' starters were pulled with 39 seconds left.

The Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks both secured crucial wins in their respective playoff series. The Magic defeated the Boston Celtics, cutting their deficit to 2-1, while the Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers to avoid falling 3-0 down.

Franz Wagner led the Magic with 32 points and eight assists, while Paolo Banchero added 29 points and six rebounds. The Celtics had erased a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit, but the Magic held firm in the final minutes to claim the win. This victory keeps the Magic's playoff hopes alive, as they aim to avoid the 0-3 hole that's proven insurmountable in NBA history.

Jayson Tatum scored 36 points for the Boston Celtics despite recently returning from a wrist injury that kept him out of Game 2. His performance was impressive, but ultimately not enough to secure the win. Derrick White tied the game at 91-91 with a finger roll layup with 2:31 remaining, keeping the Celtics' chances alive.

However, Franz Wagner responded with back-to-back baskets to put the Orlando Magic back in front 95-91 with 1:26 left, giving his team a crucial lead in the closing minutes. This momentum shift proved decisive as the Magic held on for the win.

The Orlando Magic held on for a 95-93 win, with Boston pulling within two on Derrick White's dunk with 28.1 seconds left. However, the Celtics came up short on their final possession, unable to score with three-tenths of a second remaining. Paolo Banchero praised the intensity of the final moments, saying, “High intensity. I love moments like these.”

The Magic overcame an early eight-point deficit, taking the lead 31-27 after the first quarter thanks to Banchero's strong play. However, Boston regained control with a 14-0 scoring run in the second quarter, led by Jayson Tatum's eight straight points and capped off by Jaylen Brown's three-pointer, giving Boston a 59-49 lead at halftime.

The Celtics couldn't maintain their halftime advantage, as the Magic dominated the third quarter, outscoring them 24-11. Boston struggled with 21 turnovers, which led to 26 points for Orlando, and they shot just 9-of-27 from three-point range.

PLAY THE SONG https://t.co/i6NgyEshtt pic.twitter.com/sjneqm0cEZ

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 26, 2025

“It was just a great team effort,” Paolo Banchero said. “We knew it was going to be a hell of a game at home. We wanted to get the win, have a chance to tie it up 2-2. We're excited for the opportunity.” The Magic's win cuts the series deficit to 2-1, setting up a crucial Game 4.

Bucks and Magic Secure Crucial Wins

The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Indiana Pacers 117-101, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent Jr. each scoring 37 points. Trent's impressive performance included nine three-pointers on 12 attempts, tying the Bucks' franchise record set by Ray Allen. “It's a testament to my hard work, a testament to my teammates finding me,” Trent said. “It's a blessing - we needed this win to continue to keep going.”

The Orlando Magic also secured a crucial win, holding off the Boston Celtics 95-93 to cut the series deficit to 2-1. “It was just a great team effort,” Paolo Banchero said. “We knew it was going to be a hell of a game at home. We wanted to get the win, have a chance to tie it up 2-2. We're excited for the opportunity.” Both teams will look to even their series on Sunday.