NBA: Magic silence Pistons late to take 3-1 series edge

Desmond Bane delivered a clutch late 3-pointer as the Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 94-88 to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. Orlando’s defense forced key late turnovers to seal the win and move one step closer to advancing.

FIELD LEVEL MEDIA / Reuters

April 28, 2026

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) looks to pass in front of Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the second half of Game 4 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, on April 27, 2026.

Mike Watters / Reuters

Orlando Magic held on in a tightly contested finish to defeat the visiting Detroit Pistons 94-88 on Monday, taking a 3-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

Desmond Bane led the way with 22 points, including one of his five three-pointers with 1:16 remaining to help seal the win. Detroit had tied the game at 85-85 with 5:24 left after a layup from Ausar Thompson, but Orlando answered with a 7-1 run, capped by Bane’s clutch shot that put the Magic ahead 92-86.

Thompson missed two free throws with 28 seconds left, and Caris LeVert missed a three-point attempt shortly after, allowing Jalen Suggs to close out the game at the line with two free throws. Detroit was held without a field goal in the final five minutes before Isaiah Stewart scored at the buzzer.

Franz Wagner scored 19 points for Orlando before exiting late in the third quarter with right calf soreness. Paolo Banchero added 18 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jamal Cain provided a strong spark off the bench, contributing eight points and nine rebounds in nearly 24 minutes after Wagner’s exit.

The Magic forced 20 turnovers and improved to 6-1 in their last seven home playoff games.

For Detroit, Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 25 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and eight turnovers. Tobias Harris added 20 points, while Jalen Duren contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.

Orlando started strong, building a 17-7 lead before Detroit closed the first quarter on a 20-9 run to take a one-point advantage. The Pistons extended their lead to 40-30 in the second quarter after a Cunningham layup with 7:14 remaining, but the Magic responded to take a 54-52 lead into halftime.

Wagner led all first-half scorers with 17 points, while Cunningham had 16 for Detroit before the break.

Bane’s late third-quarter three-pointer and two free throws gave Orlando a 75-69 lead heading into the fourth. Cain later energized the home crowd with a one-handed dunk over Duren, extending the Magic’s lead to 80-76 with 8:34 remaining.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven series will be played Wednesday in Detroit. -Field Level Media/Reuters