Franz Wagner puts up 29 as Magic pull away from Nets

Field Level Media|published: 10/25/2024, 10:07pm EDT

Oct 25, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) goes to the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) during the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Franz Wagner scored 29 points to lead six Orlando players in double figures and the host Magic pulled away in the third quarter en route to a 116-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.

After creating separation in the third period of its season-opening win at Miami on Wednesday, the Magic improved to 2-0 for the second straight season. Orlando is 2-0 in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1992-93 and 1993-94 -- Shaquille O'Neal's first two campaigns.

Moritz Wagner added 18 points in 15 minutes off the bench for the Magic, who shot 52 percent and hit 15 3-pointers.

Paolo Banchero added 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Banchero and Franz Wagner combined for 19 of Orlando's 32 points in the third. Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finished with 10 points apiece, and Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed 11 rebounds.

Cam Thomas scored 24 for the Nets, who are 0-2 in consecutive seasons for the first time in their NBA history. Dennis Schroder added 20 points for Brooklyn, which shot 42.2 percent but also committed 31 fouls after committing 32 in its season opener on Wednesday in Atlanta.

Brooklyn's Dorian Finney-Smith contributed 15 points and Cameron Johnson had 12. Ben Simmons finished with seven points and six rebounds but also picked up five fouls.

After the Nets held a 65-63 lead on a floater by Thomas with 5:19 left in the third quarter, Orlando ripped off 13 straight points and opened a 76-65 lead on a trey by Harris with 2:25 left in the period. The Magic took an 81-71 lead into the fourth.

Orlando did not let up in the early portion of the fourth and extended its lead to 101-83 when Banchero found Moritz Wagner for a 3-pointer with 5:36 remaining. After a trey by Schroder cut the gap to 104-92 with 3:42 left, dunks by Carter and Franz Wagner essentially finished it off.

After trailing by eight, the Nets scored the final nine points of the first quarter and took a 23-22 lead. Orlando surged ahead and took a 43-31 lead in the middle of the second quarter and settled for a 49-46 halftime edge after Caldwell-Pope sank a 3-pointer with 33.3 seconds left.

--Field Level Media