Magic Level Hawks Season Series
Orlando, FL — The Orlando Magic kicked off their post-All-Star break campaign with a hard-fought 114-108 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at the State Farm Arena. This game was a roller coaster ride for Orlando, but they eventually got it together to come back from down 19 points.
Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero powered the Magic to the win, overcoming a stellar performance from Trae Young and persistent shooting woes.
Injury Report Updates
The Magic were still without Jalen Suggs (quad contusion) tonight, marking his 20th of the last 21 games that he has missed. Suggs is a key player that Orlando has been desperately missing during this stretch, but the team always finds a way to step up in big moments.
The Hawks were without Larry Nance Jr. (knee), Vit Krejci (back), Kobe Bufkin (shoulder), and Most Improved Player candidate Jalen Johnson (torn labrum) who was a key contributor for Atlanta before his season-ending shoulder surgery.
Wagner and Banchero Shine
In their first game back from the All-Star break, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero willed the Magic to victory.
Banchero led the Magic with 36 points despite some questionable efficiency, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out five assists, showcasing his dominance in all phases of the game.
Wagner added 25 points, 7 rebounds, and five of his own assists, with his scoring in key moments proving instrumental in Orlando’s huge 19-point comeback. Their combined efforts lifted Orlando to a 1-1 season record against Atlanta.
Shooting Struggles Persist
Despite the win, the Magic continued to grapple with the same shooting inconsistencies they’ve been having all season long, particularly from beyond the arc.
The team shot just 24.0% from three-point range, a recurring issue that kept the game closer than necessary. While they hit a respectable 48.2% from the field overall, their long-range struggles allowed Atlanta to stay in contention late in the game.
Trae Young Goes Off
Trae Young was a nearly unstoppable force for the Hawks, pouring in 38 points, albeit with an unattractive 46.4% shooting, including 4-of-13 from three.
His scoring outburst was the main reason Atlanta kept themselves competitive throughout the contest, but the Magic’s defense tightened up late to limit his supporting cast.
All-Around Team Effort
Wendell Carter Jr. had major contributions down low with a season-high 15 rebounds, the most he’s had since Orlando’s opening night game against the Heat.
Cole Anthony was key as he added 17 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, and 3 steals. Anthony Black also made some noise with 10 points off the bench and some great stops on the defensive end.
Late Season Push Needed
This victory marks a positive start post-All-Star break for Orlando as they look to secure a playoff spot before the season ends, but the Magic will need to address their shooting to maintain consistency and build rhythm to close out the season.
With Wagner and Banchero stepping up like they did tonight, Orlando can certainly gain some traction and become a dark horse contender in the Eastern Conference. The Magic will now travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies tomorrow evening as they look to build on this momentum.