Gilbert Arenas checked into the game late in the first quarter for the first time since getting traded to the Orlando Magic, coming in to mostly cheers, though there were a few boos in there. Arenas did not score in his reserve role, but the Magic did well, and currently lead the Wizards 29-21 after one quarter.

The Wizards got off to a decent start, but Orlando began dominating the glass and pulling ahead, thanks to Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson. JaVale McGee went coast-to-coast for a bad turnover, drawing the ire of coach Flip Saunders, though McGee would stay in the game. Rashard Lewis, playing his former team for the first time, clanked two open threes off the front rim, preventing the Wizards from getting off well early.

Orlando pushed its lead to 23-13 on an alleyoop to Howard, prompting a timeout from Flip Saunders at the 4:02 mark. Two layups by Anderson and another alleyoop to Howard pushed the lead to 14 points, but the Wizards rallied late to account for the 29-21 margin.