Los Angeles Lakers’ Last-Second Comeback Win Rockets Team Into Playoff Picture — Highlights, Reactions & What’s Next

Los Angeles Lakers edged in 110-109 thriller by Orlando Magic: Banchero’s 36 points overshadow LeBron’s late heroics Crypto.com Arena—The Los Angeles Lakers saw a 12-point third-quarter lead evaporate Tuesday night as Paolo Banchero poured in 36 points and Wendell Carter Jr. buried the decisive lay-up with 6.7 seconds left, lifting the Orlando Magic to a 110-109 win that hands L.A. its second straight defeat and drops the club to 31-28 on the season. Key takeaways 1. LeBron James finished with 21 points, eight boards and seven assists but missed a fall-away three as the buzzer sounded. 2. Luka Doncic flirted with a triple-double—22 points, 15 assists, nine rebounds—yet the Lakers were out-scored 31-29 in the final period. 3. Los Angeles shot 48.2 percent overall but managed just one field goal in the last 90 seconds after Rui Hachimura’s corner three briefly restored a 106-103 cushion. 4. Orlando’s fourth consecutive victory over the Lakers underscores L.A.’s lingering crunch-time issues; Darvin Ham’s squad is now 7-12 in games decided by five points or fewer. Why it matters The loss concludes an eight-game homestand at an even 4-4, a missed opportunity to climb in the crowded Western Conference playoff chase. With a five-game road swing looming—starting Thursday in Denver—the Lakers risk falling into the Play-In zone unless they tighten late-game execution. Stat spotlight • Orlando shot 59.1 percent in the fourth quarter. • Banchero scored or assisted on 15 of the Magic’s final 21 points. • The Lakers are 24-5 when holding opponents under 110 but only 7-23 when they don’t. Quote board “Execution in the last two minutes has to be better—offensively and defensively,” James said post-game, noting multiple missed switches that freed Desmond Bane (22 points) and Carter late. Doncic echoed the sentiment: “We control our destiny, but we can’t give games away.” What’s next for L.A. • @ Nuggets – Feb 27 • @ Jazz – Feb 29 • @ Timberwolves – Mar 2 Injury report Anthony Davis (right ankle) remains day-to-day; sources within the organization are “optimistic” he returns during the upcoming trip. Bottom line The Lakers’ star-studded offense is producing, yet defensive lapses and clutch-time stagnation are costing wins. If Los Angeles hopes to avoid another Play-In gauntlet, a turnaround must begin on the road—starting with reigning champions Denver.