Franz Wagner delivered a standout performance, scoring 37 points and hitting the game-winning three-pointer with 2.5 seconds remaining to lift the Orlando Magic over the Los Angeles Lakers, 119-118.
The victory ended the Lakers’ six-game winning streak and marked Orlando’s seventh win in their last eight games.
Wagner scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and added 11 assists for the Magic, who played without three starters. Jalen Suggs contributed 23 points, while Moritz Wagner added a season-high 19 points off the bench.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 39 points and nine rebounds but missed two crucial free throws with 19 seconds left. He also missed an 18-foot jumper at the buzzer, sealing the Lakers’ first home loss in eight games this season.
LeBron James scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, attempting to rally Los Angeles. However, the Lakers faltered in crunch time, missing four of six free throws in the final 39 seconds.
Orlando outrebounded the Lakers 48-36, including 15 offensive boards that fueled second-chance points. Goga Bitadze chipped in with seven points and 15 rebounds, anchoring the paint for the short-handed Magic.
Los Angeles struggled with its bench production, scoring only 14 points compared to Orlando’s 29. Cam Reddish and Austin Reaves combined for just 17 points, leaving James and Davis to shoulder most of the scoring load.
The win improved Orlando’s record to 10-7, signaling their emergence as a potential contender in the Eastern Conference. The Lakers dropped to 10-5, raising questions about their execution in late-game situations.
Both teams battled injuries, with Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. missing for the Magic. The Lakers were without Rui Hachimura, Bronny James, and several key rotation players.
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