Franz Wagner dropped 35 points, including a pivotal fourth-quarter stretch, as the Orlando Magic edged the Philadelphia 76ers 106-102 on Wednesday night.
Wagner converted 12 of 23 field goal attempts, went a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, and added seven rebounds to lead the Magic (16-8) past the undermanned Sixers (5-15).
The game was closely contested through three quarters, with the score tied heading into the fourth. Orlando opened the final period on a 10-2 run, which provided a lead they would not relinquish. Wagner’s contributions in crunch time proved instrumental in sealing the Magic’s seventh win in their last eight games.
Jalen Suggs added 17 points for Orlando, shooting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. The Magic utilized a short rotation, with only four bench players seeing action. Three of those reserves reached double figures, including Jonathan Isaac, who tallied 14 points in under 15 minutes.
Philadelphia struggled without key players Joel Embiid, Paul George, Andre Drummond, and Kyle Lowry. Rookie Jared McCain led the Sixers with 24 points, continuing his strong campaign as a Rookie of the Year contender. Tyrese Maxey contributed 16 points but had an off-night shooting from deep, missing all seven of his three-point attempts.
The Magic rebounded from a loss to the New York Knicks the night before, displaying resilience against a Philadelphia squad seeking its first three-game winning streak of the season. Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze provided solid interior defense, while Suggs’ perimeter shooting bolstered Orlando’s offensive attack.
