Miami Heat Eliminated from NBA Cup After Loss to Orlando Magic

ORLANDO, Fla. — December 9, 2025
The Miami Heat’s NBA Cup journey came to an abrupt end Tuesday night as they fell 117–108 to the Orlando Magic in the quarterfinals. Despite a balanced scoring effort, Miami struggled to contain Orlando’s offensive firepower, led by Desmond Bane’s explosive 37‑point performance.

Heat’s Effort Falls Short

• Norman Powell paced the Heat with 21 points, showcasing his scoring versatility.
• Tyler Herro, returning from a toe injury, added 20 points and provided a spark in the backcourt.
• Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins each contributed 19 points, keeping Miami competitive through three quarters.

The Heat’s offense showed resilience, but defensive lapses allowed Orlando to seize control late in the game.

Orlando’s Dominance

Desmond Bane proved unstoppable, hitting clutch shots and punishing Miami’s perimeter defense. He was supported by Jalen Suggs, who chipped in 20 points, and Paolo Banchero, who added 18 points and 7 rebounds. Wendell Carter Jr. rounded out the effort with a double‑double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 boards.

What’s Next

The loss eliminates Miami from the in‑season tournament, leaving them to refocus on the regular season. At 14–8, the Heat remain in playoff contention but will need to tighten their defense to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference. Orlando, meanwhile, advances to Las Vegas to face the winner of the Knicks–Raptors matchup.