Bold headline: Paolo Banchero climbs to a season-high again, fueling a Magic blowout of the Wizards with a 126-109 win. But here’s where it gets interesting: Orlando did it with starters playing big minutes and without several key regulars, showing depth can carry the day even when stars are out.
In Orlando, Paolo Banchero matched his season best by pouring in 37 points, while Desmond Bane added 25 as the Magic rolled past Washington. Banchero shot efficiently, converting 15 of 21 from the floor, and the team shot 55.3% overall as the starting unit dominated enough to snap a two-game skid. With this win, Orlando sits seventh in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic leaned on a balanced effort beyond their leading scorer. Jett Howard contributed 12 points, and Jalen Suggs, Jevon Carter, and Moritz Wagner each added 10. The rotation was thinner than usual, as Orlando was missing Anthony Black (quad), Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle), and Franz Wagner (ankle).
For Washington, rookie Will Riley shined with 19 points, and Jaden Hardy added 18. The Wizards, entering with nine healthy players, saw their six-game losing streak extend despite efforts from Riley and Hardy.
A notable spectator moment came when Angel Reese of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky watched her brother, Juju Reese, make his second career start for Washington. The 6-foot-9 Maryland alum logged nine points and eight rebounds in 32 minutes.
Game flow: Washington briefly led in the second quarter and stayed within single digits until mid-third when Suggs’s layup gave Orlando a 66-56 edge. From there, the Magic never looked back, maintaining a double-digit cushion and pushing the lead to 25 late in the fourth.
Up next
Wizards: Host Utah on Thursday.
Magic: Host Dallas on Thursday.
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