On January 11, 2025, Beijing time, the 22-win and 17-loss Magic hosted the 19-win and 16-loss Bucks. The Magic's top star, Paolo Banchero, returned from injury, while the Wagner brothers and Suggs continued to be absent. The Magic were playing back-to-back games, and except for Banchero, the other players were not physically fit enough. Could they compete against the Bucks, who have Giannis Antetokounmpo? The Bucks' starting lineup was Lillard + Jackson + Prince + Giannis Antetokounmpo + Brook Lopez, while the Magic's starting lineup was Anthony + Pope + Silva + Banchero + Bitadze.
In the first quarter, Prince and Lopez hit three-pointers, giving the Bucks a 6-0 lead. However, Anthony, Bitadze, Silva, and Banchero scored 13 points in a row, allowing the Magic to take a 7-point lead. Lillard, Prince, and Giannis Antetokounmpo narrowed the gap to 1 point, but Pope, Silva, and Isaac extended it to 8 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Portis brought the Bucks within 1 point, and Blake and Banchero scored, while Middleton, Portis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo responded. The Bucks took a 1-point lead, but Isaac and Blake helped the Magic regain a 4-point advantage. Giannis Antetokounmpo dunked, and at the end of the first quarter, the Magic led 31-29.
In the second quarter, Lillard made free throws, and Isaac and Blake responded, giving the Magic a 5-point lead. Middleton made a mid-range shot, and Banchero and Silva responded, increasing the lead to 7 points. Lillard scored 6 points in a row, and Silva and Anthony responded, keeping the lead at 5 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored consecutively, and Huestis and Banchero responded, maintaining a 4-point lead. Lillard scored another 4 points, and Carter made 1 of 2 free throws, ending the half with the Magic leading 51-50.
In the third quarter, Banchero made 1 of 2 free throws, giving the Magic a 2-point lead. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 4 points in a row to take a 2-point lead, and Banchero made a mid-range shot. Lillard responded with a three-pointer, putting the Bucks up by 3 points. Anthony and Banchero regained a 3-point lead, but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard took a 1-point lead. Banchero hit a three-pointer, and Giannis Antetokounmpo made both free throws, leveling the score. Anthony and Huestis extended the lead to 4 points, but Giannis Antetokounmpo scored consecutively, and Blake scored consecutively + Silva hit a three-pointer, giving the Magic a 7-point lead. Trent and Middleton scored consecutively, and Blake and Isaac responded, ending the third quarter with the Magic leading 81-78.
In the fourth quarter, Portis scored 4 points in a row, giving the Bucks a 1-point lead. Banchero hit a three-pointer, but Portis and Lillard responded strongly, putting the Bucks up by 4 points. Silva made a layup, but Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 7 points in a row, extending the lead to 9 points. Anthony, Silva, and Banchero scored, but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lopez responded, keeping the lead at 7 points. Anthony and Banchero narrowed the gap to 3 points, and Giannis Antetokounmpo made a layup, maintaining a 5-point lead. Banchero made 3 of 4 free throws, narrowing the gap to 2 points. Lopez made both free throws, and Banchero hit a three-pointer, reducing the gap to 1 point with 24 seconds left. Lopez made 1 of 2 free throws, and Banchero made 1 of 2 free throws. Lillard made both free throws, and Anthony missed both free throws, ending the game with the Bucks defeating the Magic 109-106, achieving a comeback after trailing in the first three quarters.
Giannis Antetokounmpo made 19 of 29 shots for 41 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. This was his fourth time this season achieving 40 points and 10 rebounds, tying Jokic for first in the league. Lillard made 9 of 21 shots for 29 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Portis had 11 points and 7 rebounds, Middleton had 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Lopez had 8 points and 3 rebounds.
Banchero made 11 of 21 shots for 34 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Anthony had 18 points and 7 rebounds, Silva had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists (setting a career rebound record), Blake had 15 points and 2 rebounds, and Isaac had 9 points and 4 rebounds.
After the win, the Bucks overtook the Magic to claim fourth place in the East, while the Magic dropped to fifth.