Magic Fall Just Short

Orlando, FL— Same result, different night as the Magic lost their first matchup of the season with the Atlanta Hawks 112-106.

After getting what felt like a ‘must-need win’ over the Spurs on Saturday night, Orlando wasn’t able to build upon that positive momentum attempting to stack these wins together. The last time the Magic had back-to-back wins was against the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics at home back on Dec. 21st and Dec. 23rd.

Trae Young Comes Through in the Clutch

After holding De’Aaron Fox to just nine points while shooting 3 of 11 (27.2%) from the floor on Saturday night, the Magic limited another elite guard in Trae Young this evening to 19 points, nine turnovers, all while shooting 6 of 17 (35.3%) from the field and 1 of 8 (12.5%) from deep. 

Unfortunately for the Magic, Trae heated up in the fourth quarter scoring 12 points, and came through in the clutch when it mattered the most.

“19 [points] on 17 shots. I think we just made his life hard,” Jamahl Mosley said of Young’s performance. “He hit some difficult ones down the stretch.”

Orlando had their chances late but clutch buckets by Trae down the stretch and 17 turnovers by the Magic ultimately derailed their chances of coming out on top. Both Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero showed up and showed out in a big way for the Magic tonight despite the loss. 

Wagner and Banchero Combine for 68 Points

“Those two are unbelievable, to be honest with you,” Young on Wagner and Banchero’s performance. “They’ve gotten so much better since they’ve gotten into the league — Both of them are All-Star level players and have been playing really well this year.”

Franz got off to a great start in that first half with 20 points, and five rebounds, and was 8 of 12 (66.6%). Wagner finished the evening with 37 points, and seven rebounds, and shot a very efficient 15 of 29 (51.7%) from the floor and 3 of 8 (37.5%) from behind the arch. Wagner has now scored 30+ points for the 13th time this season. 

After a quiet start through the first two quarters with just nine points, Banchero exploded onto the scene in the third period scoring 20 points. That became a career-high for Banchero in any quarter of his career. Banchero would finish the night with 31 points, six rebounds, four assists, and knocking down four triples. 

With Banchero and Wagner combining for 68 points tonight, and no other Magic player scoring in double-figures, Banchero was asked how they can both get others involved even when they have it going offensively. 

“I think me and him [Franz] being the two guys, 29 attempts and 22 attempts, the next highest is six attempts,” Banchero said. “You can say maybe we can get more guys involved and we gotta figure out ways that we can do that.”

Jalen Suggs Injury Updates

Jalen Suggs (quad) was listed out before tonight’s game versus Atlanta, and it continues to become more and more apparent how much this team misses him. Tonight’s matchup was the eighth straight game Suggs would miss, and he’s now missed 18 of the team’s last 19 games. 

Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley spoke to the media before the game and gave an update on Suggs’ recovery process.

“I think it’s just very important that we keep understanding that everyone’s body is different. How they respond to treatment is different,” Mosley said. “When he comes back, whatever moment that may be, we’re going to have him on a minutes restriction. We’re going to make sure he’s taken care of the right way and understand exactly how we integrate guys back because this is for the long haul.” 

Mosley further elaborated by explaining how difficult it has been for the team who’s still trying to adjust to playing without him.

“There’s different pieces you have to look at and it’s never one person,” Mosley said. “I think it’s just finding those pieces and how to put them together the best way possible. You cannot replace what that young man does — To put that all on him, I don’t want to do that. We can’t do that. Because it is about other guys being able to step into the moment.”

What’s Next for the Magic

This was a tough loss for the Magic considering their recent struggles and knowing this game may have implications down the line in a tight Eastern Conference Playoff/Play-In race. 

The Magic will have to try to learn from this one, wash it away, and get ready to play host to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night in their last game before the All-Star break.