The Orlando Magic pulled away in the second half to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-99 on Monday night at Kia Center, strengthening their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Orlando improved to 28-24, while Milwaukee fell to 21-30 and remains outside the top 10.
Anthony Black led the hosts with 26 points and controlled the tempo late, while Desmond Bane added 25 on efficient 8-of-11 shooting. Orlando shot 47% from the field and finished with 27 assists, showing balanced half-court execution.
Franz Wagner returned after missing 23 of the previous 25 games because of a high ankle sprain. The forward came off the bench for the first time in his career and delivered 14 points and five rebounds in 17 minutes, giving the rotation added scoring depth.
Milwaukee stayed within range early behind Kevin Porter Jr., who scored 28 points with seven assists. However, the visitors committed 20 turnovers and allowed 67 second-half points, which shifted control of the game toward the home side.
The turning point came late in the third quarter when the Wagner brothers and rookie Jase Richardson combined for perimeter shots during a 14-2 run. That sequence stretched the lead to double digits and forced the Bucks into quicker offensive possessions.
Black then took over in the fourth, scoring Orlando’s first three baskets of the period and later knocking down a three-pointer that extended the margin to 20. The guard finished 8 of 13 from the field and added five rebounds, showing poise in transition and half-court sets.
The Magic struggled from deep early, hitting only 4 of 21 attempts in the first half, but adjusted spacing after the break and went 10 of 21 from three-point range in the final two quarters. Jalen Suggs contributed across the stat sheet with 10 assists and five steals, helping disrupt Milwaukee’s ballhandlers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his 15th consecutive game because of a calf injury, leaving Milwaukee without its primary interior threat. Kyle Kuzma scored three points and Myles Turner added 13 with five blocks, but the lineup lacked consistent rim pressure.
Cam Thomas, recently signed by Milwaukee, finished with four points in 13 minutes as he continues to integrate into the rotation. Jevon Carter also made his Magic debut, logging the final four minutes after joining the club last week.
Orlando currently holds seventh place in the East and has won three straight games, positioning itself for a potential climb toward the conference’s top six. The teams will meet again Wednesday night in Orlando, giving the Bucks a quick chance to adjust after a turnover-heavy loss.
