Francesco Wagner Scores 34 Points as Magic Defeat Spurs

Franz Wagner 34 pts 7 ast 7 reb vs Spurs

Franz Wagner 34 pts 7 ast 7 reb vs Spurs | Image: DV Highlights/YouTube

Francesco Wagner accumulated 34 points to aid the red-hot Orlando Magic in a resounding 127-111 victory over the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

At the halfway point, the Magic held a 17-point lead and extended it to 23 before San Antonio reduced the deficit to 95-85 late in the third quarter.

However, Orlando rapidly reestablished a 20-point advantage when Joe Ingles executed a finger-roll layup three minutes into the final period, and the Spurs never came closer than 13 points for the remaining duration of the game.

Jalen Suggs contributed 17 points for Orlando, while Paolo Banchero recorded 16, Cole Anthony scored 12 points, and Moritz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. added 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Magic triumphed for the fourth time in five games and completed a sweep of the season series against San Antonio.

Devin Vassell amassed 30 points, all in the second half, to lead San Antonio, which has now suffered six consecutive defeats and lost the first two games of their nine-game road trip in 21 days.

Victor Wembanyama also contributed 15 points, with Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson each providing 12 points, and Tre Jones and Blake Wesley both adding 10 points.

The Magic held the lead throughout the opening quarter, scoring the first nine points before San Antonio staged a comeback to tie the game at 20 when Johnson successfully made a 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining. Ingles promptly responded with a 3-pointer of his own to put the Magic in a 23-20 lead after the first 12 minutes of play.

The Spurs closed in to 42-40 after Jeremy Sochan’s 3-pointer at the 4:28 mark of the second quarter. Orlando countered with an 8-0 burst, culminating in a pull-up jumper by Suggs with 2:40 remaining in the period.

Banchero scored six consecutive points, and Francesco Wagner added a reverse layup and a 3-pointer, the latter coming with a second left in the half, to extend the Magic’s lead to 61-44 at halftime.

Francesco Wagner led all scorers with 15 points before halftime, with Banchero contributing 12 for the Magic. Julian Champagnie and Wesley were the highest scorers for the Spurs with eight points each at halftime.

Orlando increased its lead to 23 points early in the third quarter and was ahead 80-57 when Suggs made a 3-pointer with 7:14 left in the period. 

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