Paolo Banchero posts season-high 37 points as Magic fall 114-98 to Cavaliers in Cleveland

Banchero’s best scoring night this season came in a loss at Rocket Arena

Paolo Banchero recorded a season-high 37 points as the Orlando Magic were defeated 114-98 by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, Jan. 26, 2026, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The performance marked Banchero’s top single-game scoring output of the 2025-26 season, while Cleveland extended its recent momentum with another win.

The game was defined by a significant swing after Orlando’s fast start. The Magic led after the first quarter, 32-22, but Cleveland responded with a decisive second period, outscoring Orlando 39-24 to take control by halftime. The Cavaliers followed with a 30-point third quarter and held Orlando to 17 points in the fourth, widening the margin late.

Cleveland’s offense surged after early turnovers

Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 45 points, pairing high-volume scoring with an efficient shooting night. Evan Mobley added 20 points and nine rebounds, giving Cleveland consistent production in the paint and on the defensive glass. Jaylon Tyson scored 14 points as part of a supporting cast that helped stabilize the Cavaliers after a turnover-heavy opening stretch.

Orlando finished with 40.4% shooting from the field and 28.2% from three-point range. Cleveland shot 53.2% overall and 44.0% from three, a gap that proved decisive as the game progressed. The Cavaliers also reached the free-throw line more often, attempting 27 foul shots to Orlando’s 15.

Orlando’s profile: strong rebounding, limited efficiency beyond Banchero

Banchero added 10 rebounds and four assists, accounting for a large share of Orlando’s offense on a night when the team struggled to score efficiently. The Magic won the rebounding battle narrowly (51-54 overall, while collecting 13 offensive rebounds), but the extra possessions did not translate into enough points to keep pace.

• Final score: Cavaliers 114, Magic 98
• Top Orlando performer: Paolo Banchero — 37 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
• Top Cleveland performer: Donovan Mitchell — 45 points
• Shooting: Orlando 40.4% FG, Cleveland 53.2% FG
• Three-pointers: Orlando 11-of-39, Cleveland 11-of-25

Orlando led after one quarter, but Cleveland’s 39-24 second quarter shifted the game’s trajectory.

For Orlando, the result underscored a recurring challenge: producing enough efficient offense beyond its primary creator when opponents increase pressure and tempo. Despite Banchero’s season-high, Cleveland’s combination of perimeter scoring, improved ball security after the opening minutes, and stronger shot-making across multiple lineups controlled the final three quarters.