Franz Wagner Leads Orlando Magic to Victory Over Brooklyn Nets

Orlando’s Magic Show: Nets Left Bewildered in 116-101 Loss

By: Aurelia Swift

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic secured a commanding 116-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in their home opener Friday night, showcasing a defensive identity that has become central to their recent success. With a strong second half, the Magic extended their home winning streak to eight games, dating back to last season, while demonstrating the progress of their young core under head coach Jamahl Mosley.

Franz Wagner led the charge with 29 points, while his brother, Mo Wagner, contributed 18. Paolo Banchero, despite a quiet start, finished with 15 points and nine assists, and Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed 10 rebounds.

Magic Stick to Defensive Core to Pull Ahead

Defense has been the Magic’s priority under Mosley, and the team’s commitment was evident in their home opener. After a tight first half, Orlando held Brooklyn to just 37.8% from three-point range and outscored the Nets 67-55 in the second half.

“Historically, when you look at any good basketball team, that’s what they do,” Franz Wagner said of Orlando’s defensive focus. “You can’t always control if you make shots or if the other team does, but controlling the process and playing the right way — it pays off.”

With defense at the forefront, Orlando seized momentum midway through the third quarter. A tie-breaking pair of free throws from Franz Wagner ignited a 13-0 run, giving the Magic control of the game. Brooklyn, meanwhile, was forced to bench Ben Simmons after he picked up his fifth foul, and they struggled to keep pace, never coming closer than eight points for the remainder of the night.

Bench Depth and Long-Range Efficiency Drive Magic’s Offense

While defense set the tone, Orlando’s depth and newfound shooting efficiency provided the offensive firepower. Ten players contributed from beyond the arc, with the team finishing 15 of 30 from three-point range. This marked a stark improvement for a team that ranked last in the NBA for three-pointers made last season.

“That’s what we hang our hats on,” said Mo Wagner, emphasizing the defensive-first mindset. “You’re not going to have a great game offensively all the time. That’s our identity. We want to bother people, get out and run, and find our offense through defense.”

Takeaways: Early Season Insights for Both Teams

Orlando’s bench has proven crucial in both games so far, demonstrating the Magic’s ability to win even when star players like Banchero are not performing at their best. Their bench outscored Brooklyn’s reserves 44-23, showcasing the depth that could be a significant advantage this season.

Conversely, Brooklyn’s road struggles have become apparent, as they continue to grapple with a high turnover rate and significant free-throw disparity. With 37 turnovers over two games and a minus-33 free-throw differential, the Nets are finding it difficult to compete effectively on the road. Despite Cam Thomas leading Brooklyn with 24 points and Dennis Schroeder adding 20, the team’s turnovers and foul issues—particularly the one that sidelined Simmons—hampered their ability to respond to Orlando’s defensive pressure.

Key Stats: Magic’s Growth in Three-Point Shooting

Orlando’s improvement from beyond the arc is a promising development. After averaging just 11 three-pointers per game last season, the Magic have already hit 33 in their first two games, shooting an impressive 41.8%.

“Orlando was young and went through a lot of losses, but the same guys came back and just keep getting better,” said forward Jalen Wilson. “You see the process; we’ve just got to buy into it, keep grinding, and show up even when things are tough.”

Up Next

Orlando (2-0) will have little time to rest as they face the Memphis Grizzlies on the second night of a back-to-back on Saturday. Brooklyn (0-2) returns home to take on the Milwaukee Bucks for their home opener Sunday.