Paolo Banchero’s injury left the Orlando Magic struggling, especially with their offense.
Franz Wagner Steps Up:
With Banchero sidelined, the team seemed lost and dropped four games in a row, falling to a 3-6 record. But then Franz Wagner took charge. Over the next six games, he averaged 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. Thanks to his efforts, the Magic won all six matches and climbed to third place in the Eastern Conference with a 9-6 record.
Franz Wagner last six games:
29.0 PPG
6.0 RPG
6.3 APG
47/37/89%6-0.
— StatMamba (@StatMamba)
Record-Breaking Performances:
On Monday night, Wagner scored 32 points along with eight assists and five rebounds, leading his team to victory against the Suns. This made him the first Magic player since Tracy McGrady to achieve consecutive wins with such impressive stats.
Franz Wagner is the first Magic player since TMac (2003) to record back-to-back wins with:
30+ PTS
5+ REB
5+ AST— StatMamba (@StatMamba)
Wagner’s Playmaking Skills:
Wagner’s ability to create plays has been underrated for far too long. During the Paris Olympics in 2024, he was used as a point guard by Germany even though they had Dennis Schroder on their roster. With Banchero injured this season, Wagner has finally been able to showcase these skills in the NBA. He’s now averaging six assists per game under Coach Mosley’s systemโalmost double what he averaged last year.
Fans think it’s awesome how players step up when given a chance.
Defense Makes a Difference:
While Wagner shines on offense, Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac have anchored Orlandoโs defense. Suggs is already being talked about as an early favorite for Defensive Player of the Year because he’s averaging nearly three deflections per game! The team’s defense has been so strong that they’ve kept opponents under 100 points for six straight gamesโa feat not seen since 2018!
The Orlando Magic are the first team since 2018 to hold opponents to less than 100 PTS for six straight games ๐
— StatMamba (@StatMamba)
The Future Looks Bright:
Bancheroโs absence has given other players like Wagner room to grow and shine brightly on their own terms. Once he returns from injuryโthe possibilities seem endless for this young squad!
