Magic overwhelmed by host Thunder

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Feb 3, 2026

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OKLAHOMA CITY — Groundhog Day might have been Monday but Tuesday night between the Magic and Thunder felt like a repeat of most other contests from the past two months for Orlando.

Coach Jamahl Mosley‘s squad failed to get off on the right foot, trailed by as many 41 points and fell, 128-92, during its lone trip of the season to Paycom Center.

Oklahoma City led wire-to-wire, imposing its will against Orlando’s defense.

Reserve guard Isaiah Joe led the Thunder (40-11) with 22 points. Reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 points and nine assists in 28 minutes.

Owners of the league’s best defensive rating (105.8 per NBA.com), the Thunder scored 28 points off 16 Orlando turnovers.

The Magic (25-24) return home to face the Nets at Kia Center Thursday evening.

Another slow start

The Magic opened 1 for 8 from the floor and ended the first quarter 4 for 22.

Orlando went from the 7:35 mark of the opening frame to 3:38 without scoring. That allowed the Thunder to lead 39-14 after the first quarter.

The Magic's 18.2% field-goal percentage marked their season low for any quarter.

Paint points

Oklahoma City had no problem scoring near the basket early and often. In the first half , the Thunder shot 14 for 20 (70%) in the paint for 28 points.

Orlando shot 6 for 17 (35.3%) for 12 points in the paint before the break.

And the Thunder continued to attack the paint. They finished with a 60-26 scoring edge in the painted area.

Inaccurate from distance

The Magic missed their first 10 shots from beyond the arc. It wasn’t until Moe Wagner’s 3-pointer at the 9:59 mark of the second quarter did Orlando hit from distance.

The team ultimately finished 13 for 41 (31.7%) from 3-point range.

The Thunder shot 12 for 35 (34.3%) from distance.

Rookie watch

Noah Penda entered late in the first quarter. The French forward shot 4 for 11 from the floor for 11 points with five rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes.

First-round pick Jase Richardson stepped onto the floor late in the third frame. The No. 25 pick was scoreless in 13 minutes.

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