AVANDATIMES.COM – The Orlando Magic secured a dramatic victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, March 6, 2026, with Wendell Carter Jr. delivering a game-winning dunk in the final seconds. The pivotal play capped a late comeback, allowing the Magic to edge out their opponents in a thrilling contest that could significantly impact their season trajectory.
With just 8.7 seconds remaining on the clock, the Magic found themselves trailing by a single point. Following a missed shot by Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed a crucial defensive rebound, setting the stage for Orlando’s final possession.
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley opted against calling a timeout, demonstrating confidence in his players to execute under pressure. Jalen Suggs swiftly advanced the ball upcourt, initiating the decisive offensive sequence. Suggs then found Carter Jr. on a well-timed drag towards the basket, where he emphatically slammed the ball home, giving the Magic a lead they would not relinquish.
“It started with the stop. You know, we did a really good job of baiting them into a tough two. [We] got a good box out and I knew (Daniel) Gafford was behind me on the way down the court, so I thought it would’ve been a good idea to go into a quick drag to put them in no man’s land, and then like J (Jalen Suggs) said, he just found me on the roll and then I just finished the play,” Carter Jr. explained postgame.
Jalen Suggs elaborated on his role in the game-winning play, highlighting the team’s collective effort and the coach’s trust.
“Just trying to get it – start to get it up the floor. See if we call time out or not. He let us rock. Dell (Wendell Carter Jr.) did a good job flowing into the drag instead of just stalling out and then the ISO play,” Suggs said postgame. “Got a good hit which led to the big stepping up and he was wide open. So yeah, I thought about shooting it. Good roll and good finish by Dell. I think he made the play on that one to be honest. All I had to do was facilitate it.”
The final basket was the culmination of a broader comeback effort. The Magic had been down by four points with less than 40 seconds left in regulation, showcasing significant resilience to turn the tide in their favor.
Coach Mosley emphasized that the victory was a result of sustained effort throughout the entire game, not just the final moments.
“Well, I mean it was the play before that essentially, you know got Des (Desmond Bane) and Jalen connects the three that got us back into it, and our ability to sit down and get the stop,” Mosley stated. “And then being able to push the break when the team is not balanced in order to get the stop, but Jalen made a heck of a play after the stop to get out in transition and find Dell (Wendell Carter Jr.). You know, I think it was big time for him to go up and finish with authority and then come back down and then get the stop at the end of the game.”
AvandaTimes observed that this victory holds considerable weight for the Orlando Magic, particularly given the tight standings in the Eastern Conference. In a season where a single game can differentiate between a guaranteed playoff berth and a spot in the Play-In Tournament, this dramatic win could prove instrumental in shaping their postseason fate.