Franz Wagner (32 points) propels Magic past Knicks

Field Level Media|published: Fri 29th December, 22:00 2023

Dec 29, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) shoots against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first quarter at KIA Center. credits: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Franz Wagner scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed nine rebounds and the Orlando Magic used a dominating second quarter to pave the way for a 117-108 victory over the visiting New York Knicks on Friday.

Paolo Banchero added 29 points and 10 rebounds while Jalen Suggs scored 21 points as the Magic won for the third time in four games following a four-game losing streak. Goga Bitadze added 13 points in his return to the starting lineup, and Moritz Wagner had a team-high 11 rebounds.

Orlando's defense held New York to 23.8 percent shooting in the second quarter as the Magic outscored the Knicks 29-15. New York was 1 of 14 from 3-point range in the first half and finished 6 of 30 (20 percent).

Julius Randle recorded 38 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, the 16th consecutive game in which he reached the 20-point mark. Jalen Brunson scored 20 points and RJ Barrett added 19 as New York lost for the third time in four games and fell to 0-2 to start a three-game road trip.

The Magic won the first of four matchups between the team this season after the Knicks won twice in three meetings last season.

Randle carried the Knicks early, scoring 16 points in the first quarter as New York took a 29-26 lead. The Magic immediately took control in the second quarter, grabbing the lead for good at 35-33 on a layup by Wagner with 8:18 remaining in the opening half.

The Magic led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter and were up 55-44 at halftime after shooting 51.2 percent from the field. Orlando pushed its advantage to as many as 20 points in the third quarter and went into the final period with an 86-74 advantage.

The Knicks made a late push, pulling within 110-104 on a Barrett layup with 1:36 remaining. Randle made it 111-106 on a basket with 56.2 seconds left before Suggs sealed it for Orlando on a mid-range jumper with 36.9 seconds left for a seven-point lead.

The Magic won without Wendell Carter Jr., who was a late scratch due to right knee tendinitis.

—Field Level Media

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