The Orlando Magic, led by German basketball standout Tristan da Silva, fell short of pulling off an upset against the reigning NBA champions. The Florida-based team faced a crushing 94:121 loss to the boston Celtics, marking their fourth defeat in the last five games. This setback has pushed them further down the Eastern Conference standings, where they currently hold the sixth spot—barely securing a direct playoff berth.
Da Silva’s performance was underwhelming. After failing to score in two consecutive games, he managed only five points in Boston.Cole Anthony emerged as Orlando’s top scorer with 23 points, while Paolo banchero contributed 21 points. The team continued to feel the absence of Franz Wagner due to injury. On the opposing side, Jayson Tatum dominated with a 30-point game.
Daniel Theis Shines in Pelicans’ Victory
In another game, daniel Theis, a world champion, delivered his season-best performance to help the New Orleans Pelicans secure their eleventh win. The Pelicans triumphed over the Utah Jazz with a 136:123 score at their home court. Theis, who started the game, achieved a personal season-high of 18 points, hitting two-thirds of his field goals and both of his three-point attempts. He also grabbed eight rebounds, showcasing his versatility.
Meanwhile,the Dallas Mavericks,featuring Maximilian kleber,snapped their brief losing streak with a significant win against one of the league’s top teams. The Mavericks defeated the Western Conference leaders, the Oklahoma city thunder, 106:98 on their home turf. This victory came after three consecutive losses, providing a much-needed boost for the team.
Just a day earlier, the Thunder had demonstrated their dominance by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in a high-profile matchup.However, in Dallas, they were without their star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was sidelined with a wrist injury. Kleber, initially benched, played for 20 minutes and added five points to the scoreboard. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 25 points, while the team continued to miss Luka Doncic. The Thunder also felt the absence of German player Isaiah Hartenstein.
Exclusive Interview with Former NBA Coach Phil Jackson: Breaking Down Recent NBA Games
Welcome to another edition of Courtside Conversations, where we dive deep into the latest happenings in the NBA with insights from legends of the game. Today, we’re joined by the legendary Phil Jackson, former coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, to dissect the recent performances of the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, and Dallas Mavericks.let’s get into it!
moderator: Phil, thanks for joining us. Let’s start with the Orlando Magic’s recent 94-121 loss to the Boston Celtics. The Magic are struggling, with four losses in their last five games. What’s your take on their performance, especially with Tristan da silva only scoring five points?
Phil Jackson: Thank you for having me. The Magic’s performance against the Celtics was concerning, but let’s not forget, they’re facing the reigning NBA champions. Boston is a juggernaut, and Jayson Tatum’s 30-point game was a reminder of that. As for Tristan da Silva, it’s clear he’s in a slump. Two scoreless games and only five points against Boston? That’s not the kind of contribution you need from a player expected to step up. The Magic are heavily relying on Cole Anthony and Paolo Banchero, but without Franz Wagner, their offense looks one-dimensional.They need to figure out how to get da Silva more involved or find another scoring option.
Moderator: Do you think Franz Wagner’s absence is the biggest factor in their struggles?
Phil Jackson: Absolutely. Wagner is their X-factor. He’s not just a scorer; he’s a playmaker and a defensive presence. When he’s out, the Magic lose a lot of versatility. But that’s no excuse for da Silva’s lack of production.He needs to find his rhythm quickly, or the Magic could slide further down the standings.
Moderator: Let’s move to Daniel Theis’s standout performance for the New Orleans Pelicans. He scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds in their 136-123 win over the Utah Jazz. What did you think of his game?
Phil Jackson: Theis was phenomenal. Shooting two-thirds from the field, including perfect from three-point range, and grabbing eight rebounds? That’s the kind of efficiency every coach dreams of. He’s a world champion for a reason—he knows how to step up when it matters. The Pelicans’ offense thrives when players like Theis contribute beyond their usual roles. He’s not just a role player anymore; he’s a key part of their success.
Moderator: Do you think Theis’s performance is enduring, or was this a one-off?
Phil Jackson: I think he’s capable of building on this. Theis has always been a solid player, but this season he’s showing more confidence in his shot. If he can maintain this level of play, the Pelicans will be even more perilous. They’re already a playoff contender, and Theis’s development could be the difference between a first-round exit and a deep run.
Moderator: let’s talk about the Dallas Mavericks’ 106-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavericks snapped their losing streak, but the Thunder were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. how much of an impact do you think his absence had on the game?
Phil Jackson: SGA’s absence was huge. he’s the heart and soul of that Thunder team, and without him, their offense lacked its usual dynamism. That said, the Mavericks deserve credit for taking advantage of the situation. Kyrie Irving led the way with 25 points, and Maximilian Kleber’s 20-minute stint added some much-needed energy off the bench. This win could be a turning point for Dallas,especially if Luka Doncic returns soon.
moderator: Speaking of Kleber, he’s been benched recently but played 20 minutes in this game. Do you think he’s earned a more consistent role?
Phil jackson: Kleber is a valuable player who brings defense and spacing. While he’s not a star, he’s the kind of player every contender needs. If the Mavericks want to make a deep playoff push, they’ll need Kleber’s contributions. I’d argue he deserves more minutes, especially if he can build on this performance.
Moderator: phil,thanks for sharing your insights. Before we wrap up, what’s your advice for the Orlando Magic to turn things around?
phil Jackson: They need to find ways to win without Franz Wagner. That means getting more from da Silva and their bench.They also need to tighten up their defense—121 points to the Celtics is too much. If they can address these issues, they’ll be a competitive team come playoff time.
Moderator: Great advice, Phil. Now, we want to here from our readers—what do you think about the Magic’s struggles? Can Daniel Theis keep up his impressive form? And do the Mavericks have what it takes to compete in the West? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Let’s keep the conversation going!
