In a surprising turn of events, the Orlando Magic pulled off an impressive 120-101 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, thanks to standout performances by Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.
Wagner, who scored 26 points, and Banchero, who contributed 25 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, showcased their talent and determination as they outplayed the Lakers.
Despite Anthony Davis’ commendable effort of 28 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks for the Lakers, the Magic’s dominance on the boards and capitalization on Laker turnovers led to their commanding lead, with the game seeing them up by 25 points late in the third quarter.
Rookie Anthony Black made an impactful debut, scoring 11 points in his first start for the Magic, who were also missing several key players.
Goga Bitadze, starting at center, added 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks to bolster Orlando’s performance.
Wagner and Banchero played pivotal roles from the outset, with Wagner scoring seven consecutive points early in the game and Banchero leading a 13-0 run that put Orlando in the lead in the first quarter. The Magic held a 16-point advantage at halftime.
Davis faced foul trouble, picking up his fourth foul early in the third period, further hampering the Lakers’ efforts.
The Lakers, playing without several key players, found it challenging to keep pace with Orlando’s intensity. Their limited rotation and injuries further compounded their struggles.
