Wendell Carter Jr. reveals Orlando’s secret to tie after win against LA

Wendell Carter Jr. made the decisive play on Tuesday night, making the game-winning basket and lifting Orlando Magic to a 110-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. After the win, Carter pointed to one word — “aggressive” — as the key for Orlando to reach another level offensively.

Carter finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes. He shot 9-for-13 from the field and added two free throws, controlling the paint throughout the contest before making a late layup that sealed the victory.

After the game, Carter credited his teammates for encouraging him to maintain an assertive mindset.

“Honestly, I give a lot of credit to my teammates. You know, those guys that we start with, Des, P, AB, Jay Suggs, we went out there, Tristan, they all encouraged me. They tell me that when I’m aggressive, it takes our team to a new level on the offensive end.”

He elaborated on how that approach affects the group beyond the results box.

“Because a lot of the things I do don’t show up in this box to get a result night in and night out. But offensively they say it unlocks another chapter for this team when I’m aggressive. So I definitely give them a lot of credit. But at the same time, I’m just processing the game, slowing it down a little bit mentally, but still playing at a high speed and fast.”

Wendell Carter Jr. on his big offensive night, including the game-winner against the Lakers:

“I give a lot of credit to my teammates. They tell me when I’m aggressive, it takes us to another level.” pic.twitter.com/UCmb2drIVB

— Julian Ojeda (@jovepafm) February 25, 2026

The Magic relied on that interior presence against Los Angeles, especially in a tough fourth quarter. Orlando improved to 31-26 with the win, closing out its four-game Western Conference trip with back-to-back wins over both Los Angeles teams.

Wendell Carter Jr.’s aggressiveness lifts the Magic over the Lakers

Carter’s production this season reflects a steady role in Orlando’s rotation. In his sixth year with the franchise, the 26-year-old center is averaging 11.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 54 appearances. He is shooting 48.7% from the field, 32.2% from 3-point range and a career-high 80.1% from the free throw line while logging 29.6 minutes per contest.

While Carter’s game-winning effort highlighted his night, a larger theme of aggressiveness has come up repeatedly in Orlando’s recent surge. Teammates emphasized that when Carter attacks with determination, whether it’s finishing at the rim, getting into mid-range looks or crashing the glass, it creates extra spacing and rhythm for the offense.

The The Magic also got another standout performance from Paolo Bancherowho recorded 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists against the Lakers. Orlando’s ability to generate balanced contributions on both the perimeter and interior fueled the momentum entering the final stretch of the regular season.

With the road trip over, Orlando returns home to open a four-game homestand that begins Thursday against the Houston Rockets (35-21) at 7:30 PM ET on Prime Video. As the Magic try to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference, Carter’s emphasis on controlled aggression could remain a central factor in maintaining their upward trajectory.