CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Franz Wagner scored 21 points and Paolo Banchero nearly recorded a triple-double as the Orlando Magic ended their four-game skid with a 123–107 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night.
Banchero filled the stat sheet with 18 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, helping the Magic build a lead that grew to 20 points in the second half. Wagner, who was listed as questionable before tipoff due to a left heel contusion, started and led a balanced Orlando attack that notched just its second win of the season.
LaMelo Ball paced Charlotte with 17 points and 13 assists, marking his third double-double of the young season. Earlier in the day, the NBA fined Ball $35,000 for an obscene gesture made during Tuesday’s loss to Miami. Despite the off-court distraction, he continued his strong statistical start to the season, entering the night averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 assists, and 8.3 rebounds per game.
The Hornets made history by starting three rookies—Kon Knueppel, Sion James, and Ryan Kalkbrenner—for the first time in franchise history. Knueppel, who had been red-hot from beyond the arc with 16 made threes over his first four games, was limited to just one against Orlando’s defense.
Orlando, playing on the second night of a back-to-back after a loss in Detroit, came out energized. The Magic surged ahead 53–40 midway through the second quarter and held a 71–58 halftime advantage — their highest first-half total this season.
Charlotte briefly threatened in the third period, trimming the deficit to 83–76 on Kalkbrenner’s layup and later pulling within 88–85 on a Miles Bridges jumper. But Orlando closed the quarter strong and carried a 92–85 lead into the fourth, where Tristan da Silva’s 3-pointer extended the cushion to 104–87 and effectively sealed the win.
The Magic have now won five straight matchups against the Hornets dating back to last season.
Up Next:
Magic: Visit the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
Hornets: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
