Magic Snap Five-Game Skid

Orlando, FL— After dropping five straight games the Magic were able to get back on track tonight and get an emphatic win over the Detroit Pistons 121-113.

Tonight was a prime example of how this team can look drastically different, on both sides of the court, when they have their main guys available. It was night and day compared to what we’ve seen in the last five games. 

The Big Three Returns

The big news surrounding the team tonight was the return of the big three. All three of Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner haven’t shared the court since Oct. 30 and it was a long time coming. 

“It was really good for almost everybody to play together,” Franz on playing with Suggs and Banchero for the first time since Oct. 30. “Obviously that’s been tough for us this year — Hopefully we can get in a rhythm together, and close the season out the right way.”

Wagner, who suffered a torn oblique, returned to the floor last game versus Portland, Jalen Suggs who has been out the last 10 games with a lower back strain made his return this evening, and Paolo Banchero returned from his oblique injury back on Jan. 10.

Orlando is slowly but surely getting healthy and the only two players missing tonight on the injury report were Goga Bitadze (concussion) and Gary Harris (hamstring). 

Continuing to Trust the Process

After Orlando had dropped their previous five games, in rather ugly fashion, Coach Mosley urged this team on Thursday night to continue to ‘trust the process’ and understand that these moments of adversity will continue to pay dividends long term.

“Stick with the process. The numbers will at some point break the other way, but you’ve gotta stay confident,” Mosley said. “You [have] to continue to put the work in — Because obviously, we’re getting good looks, they’re just not falling.”

Mosley was asked in the pregame how much of a challenge it has been the last few months managing different lineups, injuries, and even the minute’s restriction of multiple players coming back into the lineup.

“It’s been a great opportunity,” Mosley stated. “It’s been a great challenge. I think you have to look at times like this as an opportunity to find ways to be creative — Is it fun all the time? Absolutely not. But in the same breath, it’s an opportunity for us to grow and learn because down the stretch this is gonna pay ridiculous amounts of dividends for what these guys have been through — These guys are gaining invaluable experience as we move down the stretch.”

Game Recap

Detroit got off to a great start to begin this game leading by as much as 12 points before Orlando stormed back with a 25-12 run to close the first half, and the Magic would go into the halftime locker room up 54-53. 

Heading into the fourth quarter, Orlando trailed by two points after three quarters of play and they opened up the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run. Franz Wagner stole the show in the fourth quarter scoring 25 of his 32 in the fourth quarter alone, and it propelled the Magic to a much-needed victory this evening.

Franz Wagner tied Tracy McGrady for the franchise record for most points in a quarter having scored 25 in the fourth quarter.

Wagner and Banchero Lead Magic to Victory

“Obviously, it’s really cool,” Wagner said, matching McGrady’s franchise record for points in a quarter. “Especially cool for me after a tough start. You know, stay confident and play my game. There’s been games in the past where I didn’t do that, so I think that’s growth for me.”

Both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner led the way for Orlando tonight leading all Magic scorers with 32 points a piece. Banchero also contributed nine rebounds, and seven assists, and shot 11 of 22 (50%) from the field.

Jamahl Mosley spoke glowingly about both Banchero and Wagner in the postgame, and he explained what Wagner had said to him going into the fourth quarter after he was supposed to be on a minutes restriction. 

“Leave me in. Leave me in. Leave me in,” Mosley said of Wagner. “He’s a competitor. I tell you, this is what your best players do between he and Paolo. What they’re capable of doing when they put their heads down and their minds to it. They’ve worked so hard. They continue to work so hard, pure professionals about getting it done the right way — Just the competitive nature of these two young men is absolutely incredible.” 

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff spoke very positively of both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner tonight with their respective performances. 

“They’re really good players, and it was just a matter of time,” Bickerstaff said. “Just unfortunate for us that it happened to be tonight. But they’re extremely talented — But they’re two of the best young players in our game — Hat’s off to them. They played extremely well tonight.”

Wagner, on top of his scoring, chipped in four rebounds, and seven assists and shot an impressive 4 of 8 (50%) from behind the arch. Suggs, despite his intensity and effort level, couldn’t contribute much on offense as he picked up four early fouls that led to him being sat for the majority of the game. Suggs finished the night with eight points, three assists, and one steal.

Final Numbers and Thoughts

Pistons guard Cade Cunningham gave it his best effort leading Detroit with 35 points, 11 assists, and chipped in two steals. Malik Beasly came off the bench and added 18 points for the Pistons while knocking down four shots from deep.

“Cade’s playing at a ridiculously high level,” Banchero said of Cade. “You know, he’s got Detroit playing great basketball — He’s a really unique player.”

Orlando scored the most points in a game since November and it was reflected in the box score. The Magic shot 40 of 83 (48.2%) from the field, 15 of 33 (45.5%) from behind the arch, and had four players score in double figures. 

“I feel like this was a must-win game,” Banchero said. “I think everyone in the locker room understood that. I told coach [Mosley] in the locker room ‘I was feeling good’ Don’t worry about the minutes restriction.” 

Orlando snaps their five-game losing streak and improves to 24-23 on the season, and they will be preparing for a six-game road trip beginning in Miami on Monday evening.