Led by Franz Wagner, the Orlando Magic snapped their losing streak and earned their second NBA win of the season, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 123–107.
The European champion delivered an all-around performance, finishing with 21 points, five rebounds, and three assists, despite being a game-time decision due to heel pain. Before this victory, the much-hyped Magic had dropped four consecutive games, prompting Wagner to publicly call out the team’s defensive shortcomings.
“We’re lacking effort on defense,” Wagner said after the team’s 135–116 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. “It’s not the first time this young season that we’ve felt we weren’t playing as hard as we can — that’s unacceptable.”
Against Charlotte, Wagner’s national teammate Tristan da Silva also made a strong impact off the bench, scoring 19 points shortly after signing a one-year contract extension. Orlando had exercised the option on the 24-year-old’s deal, keeping him with the team through 2027.
