The Orlando Magic cruised to a convincing 124-107 win over the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, but the victory came with a cost as All-Star forward Paolo Banchero exited the game in the second quarter with a left groin strain. 

Banchero logged four points, a steal and a block in 12 minutes before the injury occurred, cutting short a matchup he was looking forward to that doubled as his 23rd birthday. 

“We’ll evaluate him when he gets back to Orlando tomorrow,” coach Jamahl Mosley said after the game. 

Mosley also said that the injury occurred when Banchero made a quick turn, causing him to pause. Afterward, Mosley took him out of the game. 

The loss of their franchise superstar did not hinder the Magic, as the team jumped out to a 20-point lead at halftime, holding the Knicks to just 42 points. 

“I loved our defense,” Mosley said. “I really did. This team has been averaging over 130 for the past three or four games. Our guys' ability to sit down and guard, take the game plan, and execute it the right way.” 

“The energy, the spirit, the joy that these guys played with tonight was fun to watch and be a part of for them.” 

In Banchero’s absence, Franz Wagner took the reins on offense. Wagner suffered a broken nose in Monday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers, but it did not deter him from leading the team with 28 points. 

“I think we've seen over time what a competitor he is,” Mosley said. “What a winner he is; that he's going to find his way to get the job done no matter what.” 

“He's about trying to find ways to win, doing the right thing throughout the game, just because how much he cares about winning and cares about his teammates.” 

Two nights after hitting his first game winner in a Magic uniform, Desmond Bane added 22 points and, for the fourth game in a row, led the team in assists with eight. 

“I felt like we were together from the from the very beginning all the way through the end,” Bane said. “Paolo obviously went down, and we suffered a little bit of adversity with that.” 

“They made their run, but we stayed together and found a way to make plays when they matter. Get the stops when they mattered.” 

The Knicks cut the deficit to nine points with 6:04 remaining in the game before Orlando pulled away for good. 

“Good collective team win,” Bane added. “We've known that we can do it. We got to be consistent with it night after night.” 

The Magic will return home to face the Brooklyn Nets on Friday at 7 p.m. ET for their second NBA Cup game.