Paolo Banchero guides Magic to blowout of Wizards

Field Level Media|published: Sat 22nd March, 03:22 2025

Mar 21, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) during the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Paolo Banchero posted 30 points and eight rebounds in three quarters and the visiting Orlando Magic had one of their biggest offensive performances of the season, downing the Washington Wizards 120-105 Friday night.

It was only the eighth time this season the Magic, who entered as the lowest-scoring team in the NBA, have scored 120 points or more. They are 7-1 in those games.

Six Magic players scored in double figures. Franz Wagner had 21 points for Orlando, while Wendell Carter Jr. had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Rookie Alex Sarr had 19 points and 10 boards to lead the Wizards, who faded badly after a strong start.

The win keeps the Magic (33-38) firmly in a play-in tournament spot with 11 games left on their schedule. Washington (15-54) has lost three in a row and owns the worst record in the NBA.

Both teams came out hot, each shooting 61 percent from the floor from the first quarter which ended with the Magic on top 33-30.

Orlando sliced through the Wizards defense in the second quarter. Banchero, who had 20 in the first half, scored six in a row for Orlando to push the lead to 51-43 midway through the quarter.

The Magic closed the first half on an 11-5 run triggered by a three from Cory Joseph, and then threes by Banchero and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to lead 67-54 at the break.

Orlando dominated the second half. The Magic opened the second half with a game-defining 21-8 run highlighted by a steal and a dunk by Banchero and a pair of threes by Joseph, who finished 3-6 from three-point range.

The biggest lead was 33 by the Magic early in the fourth quarter. Both teams emptied their bench down the stretch. Orlando outrebounded the Wizards 55-41.

Reigning Slam Dunk contest champion Mac McClung played the final 5:21 of the contest for the Magic, finishing 0-for-2 from the floor and with an assist. It was just his second appearance with Orlando this season.

Wizards guard Jordan Poole went 4-for-8 from 3-point range while scoring 18 points. He now has 203 made threes this season, 20 behind the franchise's single-season record set by Bradley Beal in 2016-17.

--Field Level Media

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