Orlando’s new face calls for ‘selfish’ play after blowing 19-point lead against Rockets

The Orlando Magic blew a 19-point second-half lead Thursday night at a 113-108 loss to the Houston Rocketsand veteran running back Jevon Carter didn’t kneel afterward.

Carter, who signed with the Magic in early February following his release from the Chicago Bulls, he called what he described as “selfish” play as Orlando let the momentum slip away.

“I feel like when we get the leads, we get a little selfish. I just feel like I said, when we get the lead, we just have to keep hitting what’s working instead of worrying about whether we’re going to have a good night, a bad night, or let me get my stat. We just stick together.”

The 30-year-old guard finished with 14 points, three assists, two rebounds, a steal and a block in 22 minutes. He shot 5-for-10 from the field and 4-for-9 from 3-point range, providing energy and spacing off the bench as the Magic appeared in control before Houston’s offense.

Jevon Carter embraces a veteran voice as Desmond Bain records a historic February

Carter also reflected on his role as a vocal veteran in a young Orlando locker room.

“I feel like I’m that voice, you know, I call it like I see it … I don’t worry about hurting feelings (and) just being honest, just being real. It’s a young group, guys are looking to win, we’re trying to find the right way to do things right and you know, it’s just my job to come in and give guys what I see and just give guys advice when I see fit.”

The Magic led by as many as 19 points in the second half, but allowed Houston to pull away with timely hitting and defensive stops. Orlando’s execution faltered during key stretches, and the Rockets capitalized behind their half-court creators.

Desmond Bain paced the Magic with 30 points, adding six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 38 minutes. He shot 12-for-19 from the field and 6-for-10 from beyond the arc without attempting a free throw, finishing with a team-high plus-9 rating.

Magic G Jevon Carter holds new teammates accountable after Orlando blew 19-point lead in 4 MIN:

“When we get leads, we get a little selfish.”

I feel like I’m that (vet) voice…

Don’t worry about hurting feelings. Just to be honest…

It’s a young group that wants to win.” pic.twitter.com/krokkuMItc

— Ryan Kaminsky NBA (@beyondtheRK) February 27, 2026

Despite the loss, Bane’s performance added to the historic February. He became just the sixth player in NBA history to score at least 250 points in a month while shooting 59% or better from the field and 49% or better from 3-point range (minimum 10 3-point attempts). The group includes Kevin Johnson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns and John Collins.

Bane says Magic ‘beat themselves’ in collapse against Rockets

Bane dealt with the collapse after the game.

“I thought we beat ourselves. I thought we had a few turnovers (and) defensive lapses. They were able to get some momentum going. I thought we had them in a good spot up to 19 or so and they go like 8 or 9-0 at a timeout, get a free throw after a timeout. And I think they’re the best for two reasons, they’re. NBA players and we gave them life on good teams. . . . We’ve got to bury them when we have the chance.

Houston closed the game behind Kevin Durant, who scored 40 points and went 10-for-10 from the free throw line in 40 minutes.

With the loss, Orlando fell to 31-27 on the season and went on a four-game homestand. The Magic will look to regroup on Sunday when they host the Detroit Pistons (43-14) at 6:00 PM ET, looking to respond after missing a significant opportunity.