With Banchero sidelined, Wagner shoulders increased scoring and leadership, proving his clutch ability with a dominant 28-point performance against the Knicks.
The Orlando Magic have won five of their last seven and it seems they are turning the corner after a statement 124-107 win over the NY Knicks. The Magic were strong from tipoff and never looked back after a dominant second quarter.
Franz Wagner Needs To Step Up With The Absence Of Paolo Banchero:
In the middle of a dominant second quarter, forward Paolo Banchero left with a hip strain. He isn’t expected to miss significant time, but his status is day-to-day as he works back to full strength.
Banchero has been the Magic’s leading scorer this season, and his absence shifts more of the offensive load to Franz Wagner, who stepped up against the Knicks with 28 points and nine rebounds.
“It’s Franz,” coach Mosley said. “We’ve seen over time what a competitor he is, what a winner he is – that he’s going to find his way to get the job done no matter what. There was a point in that third quarter, maybe 2:30 or 3:30 left, he just told me ‘I’m good.’ That’s who he is. He’s about trying to find ways to win, doing the right thing throughout the game just because of how much he cares about winning and cares about his teammates.”
Last season, Wagner carried the Magic when Banchero was sidelined. This stretch won’t be as severe, but for a team trying to turn the corner, he’ll again be leaned on as a stabilizing leader and his teammates trust him fully.
Wagner is averaging 22.5 points this season and shooting 35.8 percent from three, a meaningful jump from last year as his all-around game continues to grow.
“He’s really tough,” guard Anthony Black said post-game. “He was able to finish that game where he got hit in the nose, so that shows a sign of toughness. It was bothering him but he stuck with it. He came out tonight in the mask and did his thing – no beat missed, no step behind. He was aggressive, he attacked, got into the paint the same way. He’s just a really tough player and he helped us get a win today.”
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