Magic defeat Wizards 139-120 to extend winning streak to eight games

In a remarkable performance, Franz Wagner achieved a season-high with an impressive 31 points, complemented by Jalen Suggs contributing a season-best 22 points, leading the Orlando Magic to a dominant eighth consecutive victory of 139-120 against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

Despite their setback in the NBA's In-Season Tournament the previous night, the Magic showcased remarkable efficiency with a 60.7% overall shooting accuracy and an impressive 17 of 27 success rate from beyond the arc in the first game of a two-game series. Looking ahead, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized a focused approach, stating, “I’m going to stick with one game at a time.”

Cole Anthony, delivering another stellar performance off the bench, contributed 25 points. The Magic's winning streak is now just one short of the franchise record set in 1994, a remarkable achievement that has set the tone for their season.

Reflecting on their success, Jalen Suggs emphasized the team's attention to detail, stating, “Attention to detail, I think that’s one thing that’s made this run, and this start of the season, so special for us. We’re so locked in in any situation.”

Despite a strong effort from Washington, led by Kyle Kuzma's 24 points, Deni Avdija's 22, and Jordan Poole's 19, the Wizards struggled to keep pace with the Magic in the second half. The game-changing moment came when Franz Wagner executed a decisive dunk in the closing seconds of the third quarter, extending the lead to 102-89.

Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. acknowledged the challenge, stating, “At half we were down 10, still within striking distance, but they got it going from 3 in the second half.”

Notably, the Magic's bench, contributing 65 points and 19 assists, played a pivotal role in compensating for Paolo Banchero's least productive game of the season. Banchero exited the game in the third quarter after scoring six points and committing four turnovers.

Franz Wagner, reflecting on the team's progress, expressed the importance of continuous improvement, saying, “We don’t (just) want to be really good now; I want to be really good at the end of the season, and that’s why we’re going to keep getting better.”

In the final quarter, Orlando's bench took command, extending the lead to 21 points, capped off by a spectacular dunk from Cole Anthony, who has consistently delivered exceptional performances off the bench in recent games. Anthony has averaged 20.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in his last six games, showcasing his significant impact on the team.