Paolo Banchero's big performance sends Magic past Wizards

Paolo Banchero scored 33 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds while leading the Orlando Magic to a 109-97 win over the host Washington Wizards on Thursday.

Banchero made 11 of 24 attempts from the field, 3 of 5 from 3-point range, and dished out six assists.

Franz Wagner was also crucial to Orlando's effort, finishing with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 13 points and five assists and Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 10 points and seven rebounds as the Magic earned their sixth win in eight games.

Wizards rookie Bub Carrington surpassed his previous career high of 23 points by nine, finishing with 32 on an efficient 12-for-18 from the field and 7-for-10 from long distance. Carrington also logged team highs of nine rebounds and seven assists as Washington took its ninth loss in 11 games.

Marcus Smart added 12 points for Washington, while 2024 No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr finished with 10 points on just 4-of-16 shooting.

Orlando initially gained control in the second quarter. Leading 34-33 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining in the half, the Magic reeled off a 13-0 run that included seven points by Banchero. Orlando outscored Washington 27-12 to close the quarter and took a 61-45 advantage into halftime.

Washington nearly crawled back in the third quarter. The Wizards used a 14-5 surge across the last six minutes of the frame to cut Orlando's lead to as little as three points, but Anthony Black scored to put the Magic back ahead by five with 5.1 seconds remaining in the period. That pushed Orlando to the finish it needed, as the Magic again stretched their lead to double digits early in the fourth and kept a safe margin for the rest of the game.

Orlando made 38 of 82 attempts (46.3 percent) from the field and shot 11 of 30 (36.7 percent) from 3-point range. Washington made 38 of 85 (44.7 percent) from the field, including 12 of 30 attempts (40 percent) from beyond the arc.

--Field Level Media