Magic Dominates Despite Injuries

Orlando, FL— In this Magic vs Wizards contest, Orlando was able to close out the weekend with an emphatic 121-94 victory over Washington, marking back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two games of the season.

The game’s injury report was extensive as Washington had a handful of players sidelined due to injury—Carlton Carrington, Saddiq Bey (ACL surgery), Malcolm Brogdon (thumb surgery), and Kyle Kuzma (right groin; strain) were out. For Orlando, Paolo Banchero (right oblique) and Wendell Carter Jr. (plantar fascia strain) remained out. At the same time, Jonathan Issac (right hamstring tightness) was available after missing the second half of Friday’s victory over the Pelicans.

The Magic’s Focused Approach to the Game

After the Magic returned from a five-game road trip that resulted in ve losses, they knew they had a lot of groundwork to make up, and this five-game home stretch was a perfect opportunity to get things back on track.

Orlando came into tonight’s Magic vs Wizards matchup laser-focused, and this group didn’t skip a beat. Both Franz Wagner and Goga Bitadze set the tone early, being aggressive, driving downhill, and making plays on both sides of the floor.

High-Scoring First Half and Close Lead at the Break

In the second quarter, both teams got hot offensively, combining for 69 points, and it felt like anything they put up was going in. Orlando held a sizable 14-point lead halfway through the second period before the Wizards made a run late in the half to close the lead. Wizards guard Kyshawn George had 14 points and connected on all four of his attempts from deep, as the Magic went into the halftime locker room up 61-56.

Orlando Pulls Away in the Third Quarter

Orlando came out with a sense of urgency and began to pull away, outscoring Washington 30-16 in the third period. Jamahl Mosley was asked post-game about his team’s ability to pull away after the break and he responded:

“I think their poise level. They [Washington] went on an 8-0 run for a moment, and we didn’t get rattled. That team played hard, give them credit for how hard they played. They got some good pieces over there. I was very pleased with our guys’ response to not get rattled and just continue to play the right way.”

Key Player Performances

Orlando would empty the bench in the final minutes of the fourth quarter in the Wizards vs Magic game, securing their second win at home during this five-game stretch.

Wagner Continues All-Star Level Play

Franz Wagner has played at an All-Star level and continued to elevate his game without Paolo Banchero in the lineup. Franz played just three quarters but logged 29 minutes, finishing with 23 points, 7 assists (a season-high), 4 rebounds, and shooting an efficient 9 of 20 from the floor.

Goga Bitadze’s Impact Beyond the Box Score

“He’s just steady,” Jamahl Mosley said about Goga Bitadze. “He just stays ready the entire time; he doesn’t say a word. Just when he’s asked to do something, he goes out and does it. He’s a great rim protector, does a great job in the pick-and-roll, and is a facilitator on offense.”

Goga Bitadze continues to show on a night-in, night-out basis how much he has improved his game and how valuable he is to the success of this team. Bitadze recorded his second double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and a +13 rating when he was on the floor. Goga’s ability to screen and roll, protect the rim, facilitate, grab boards, etc., has made his impact go far beyond what the numbers in the box score show.

Cole Anthony’s Growth and Confidence

Jamahl Mosley was thoroughly impressed with Cole Anthony’s effort and is going to continue instilling confidence in all of his players. Mosley was asked about Cole and stated:

“Our coaches do a phenomenal job of keeping these guys engaged, working on their game, watching film, keeping them locked in, and Cole [Anthony] is a prime example of that. I mean, he made the three on the right wing and came back and stared at me the whole time. That’s who he is, and that’s what we ask of him and who we need him to be—a fearless, confident leader on the floor when he’s out there.”

Cole Anthony’s Season-High Performance

Cole Anthony has had an up-and-down start to the season but is slowly gaining his confidence back. Anthony finished the game with 16 points (a season-high), 2 rebounds, and made all eight of his attempts at the free-throw line in just 15 minutes.

“It felt good man, it hasn’t been the start to the season I would’ve liked,” Cole Anthony said. “But look I’m hopeful, I just continue to put my head down and grind, do what I need to do on and off the court.”

Moe Wagner and Tristan da Silva Contribute Off the Bench

Moe Wagner was a key player for the Magic in the second unit, helping fuel the team to victory with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and as always, providing that energy off the bench. Rookie Tristan da Silva also had a solid performance, logging just under 32 minutes and contributing 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.

Cole Anthony Praises Magic Fans

“We have the best fans,” Cole Anthony said about the Magic fans. “We might have lost a few to EDC, but we definitely do get the best fans. Since I’ve been here, we’ve really had some fans who always come in, and they’re out there giving 110%, just like us. So big shoutout to all of them.”

What’s Next for the Magic

The real challenge begins soon for Orlando as their next three home games will be against the Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. With tonight’s win in this Magic vs Wizards game, Orlando has improved to 5-6 on the season, remain undefeated at home, and will be back at the Kia Center for the beginning of the In-Season Tournament on Tuesday.