In a game that saw the Orlando Magic battle from behind for most of the night, Paolo Banchero delivered in the clutch, sinking a 15-foot jumper with 24.7 seconds remaining to push the Magic past the San Antonio Spurs in a nail-biting 112-111 victory on Saturday night.
San Antonio had a chance to steal the win, but rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama missed a mid-range jumper in the closing seconds, sealing the Magic’s hard-fought comeback.
Franz Wagner Leads the Charge
Franz Wagner was the heart of Orlando’s offense, pouring in 33 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. His relentless scoring, including eight crucial points in the second half, helped the Magic erase a 13-point deficit and set the stage for Banchero’s game-winner.
Anthony Black was a spark off the bench, dropping 20 points on near-perfect 8-of-9 shooting, including a flawless 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Banchero finished the night with 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, showcasing his all-around impact.
Spurs Fall Short in Back-to-Back Heartbreakers
San Antonio, which came into the game hoping to close out its road trip strong, suffered its second consecutive one-point loss after falling to Charlotte the night before. Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 25 points on an efficient 11-for-14 shooting night. Harrison Barnes added 21 points and eight rebounds, catching fire early with five three-pointers in just over two minutes in the first quarter.
Wembanyama continued to display his versatility, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and four blocks, but his last shot attempt didn’t find the mark. De’Aaron Fox contributed nine points and nine assists in his third game with the Spurs.
Key Takeaways
Magic’s Resilience Pays Off
Despite trailing for much of the contest, the Magic found ways to stay in the fight. Wagner’s scoring burst and Black’s sharpshooting helped Orlando claw back into the game. Even without Jalen Suggs, who missed his fifth straight game with a quadriceps contusion, the Magic’s depth proved valuable.
Spurs Let Another Close One Slip
With six road wins in the first half of the season, the Spurs were on the verge of securing their fourth victory on their current trip. However, back-to-back one-point losses at Charlotte and Orlando have been a tough setback as they look to finish strong against Washington on Monday.
By the Numbers
- The Magic shot 51.1% from the field, a strong showing for a team ranked 24th in field-goal percentage.
- Black was a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, providing crucial bench production.
- Wagner’s all-around effort (33 points, 12 rebounds) helped lift Orlando to victory.
- Barnes’ early scoring spree saw him knock down five three-pointers in just over two minutes in the first quarter.
With this win, the Magic continue to push toward a strong second-half performance, hoping to get healthier as they approach the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Spurs will need to regroup and find ways to close out games as they wrap up their road trip.
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