Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero lead Magic past Kings
Feb 5, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) shoots the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero combined for 54 points and the Orlando Magic spoiled Zach LaVine's debut for the host Sacramento Kings with a 130-111 victory on Wednesday night.
Wagner had five 3-pointers to account for almost half his 31 points, while Banchero complemented 23 points with nine assists for the Magic, who snapped a four-game losing streak.
Domantas Sabonis had a 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Kings, who inserted LaVine into the starting lineup two days after acquiring him from the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal.
LaVine totaled 13 points, shooting just 4-for-13. He missed all four of his 3-point attempts on a night when Sacramento went 10-for-27 (37 percent) from beyond the arc.
Playing their fifth consecutive road game, the Magic trailed only momentarily before using a 37-point first quarter to gather some early momentum. Wagner had nine points and Banchero in the quarter.
Up just 62-60 at the intermission, the Magic exploded for 42 points in the third quarter. Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope drilled 3-pointers early in the period to help the Magic pull away.
Anthony finished with 14 points, as did Goga Bitadze, while Anthony Black added 15 and Tristan da Silva 11 for the Magic, who shot 56.8 percent. Thanks in large part to Wagner's 5-for-6, the visitors bombed in 51.6 percent of their 3-pointers, making 16 of 31.
Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in with eight points, eight rebounds and two steals for Orlando, which completes its Western swing on Thursday night at Denver.
DeMar DeRozan had 19 points, Keon Ellis 12 and Malik Monk 10 for Sacramento, which held out newly acquired Sidy Cissoko, who was reportedly traded to the Washington Wizards along with two second-round picks for Jonas Valanciunas.
Devin Carter had nine points, four assists and two steals off the bench for the Kings, who lost for the fifth time in their last seven games.
--Field Level Media
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