Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

NBA Admits Officiating Mistake in Bucks-Magic Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 7:08 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Orlando Magic during Wednesday's game at the Kia Center, 116-108.

Cam Thomas, in just his second game with the Bucks after being released by the Brooklyn Nets, exploded with 34 points on 12-of-20 shooting off the bench. He also had four rebounds and two assists, as Milwaukee avenged its 118-99 loss to Orlando on Monday.

No other Buck scored more than 20 points amid the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is recovering from a calf injury. Kevin Porter Jr. added 18 points, while Jericho Sims and Ousmane Dieng added 17 apiece. Kyle Kuzma also chipped in 15 points.

Desmond Bane led the Magic in scoring with 31 points, while Paolo Banchero tallied 17.

Milwaukee improved to 22-30 on the season with the victory, keeping itself in contention for a play-in spot in what has been an otherwise disappointing year.

Following the win, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers also had high praise for Thomas, even comparing him to former Sixth Man of the Year winners that he has coached.

"I've had Jamal Crawford. I had Lou Williams. And now, I have Cam Thomas," Rivers shared. "They're similar, but they're all different in their own ways. Cam wants to do right. He wants to play well. You can see that. And we're going to give him every opportunity. I mean, the guy is a natural scorer, and you can see that."

Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers shouts instruction during a game.Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

NBA L2M Report Reveals Missed Call That Favored Bucks

Unfortunately for the Magic, it didn't help them that there was a missed call against the Bucks.

In the NBA's Last 2 Minute Report, the NBA ruled that Thomas should have been called for a foul on a Jalen Suggs 3-pointer with less than 20 seconds left. At the time, the Bucks were ahead 116-108.

"Thomas (MIL) steps into Suggs' (ORL) lower body, affecting his jump shot attempt," the NBA commented.

Had it been called, the Magic would have gotten three free throws to potentially cut the lead to five.

Of course it's unknown how it would have affected the result of the game, especially since there were only roughly 15 seconds left when the foul occurred.

Still, it has to be disappointing for the Magic that they didn't get the chance to try to stage a comeback in the closing seconds of the contest.

The Magic return to action against the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 19 after the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Bucks play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday before they enter the break.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: