Magic Silence the Noise with Statement Win Over Heat, Snap Losing Skid
MIAMI - The Orlando Magic walked into Kaseya Center carrying the weight of a four-game losing streak, swirling rumors, and the kind of frustration that can test a team’s identity. They walked out with a 133-124 win, a 4-0 season sweep over the rival Miami Heat, and something even more important - their swagger back.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a response.
Behind a combined 80 points from Paolo Banchero (31), Anthony Black (26), and Desmond Bane (23), the Magic rediscovered the rhythm and energy that had eluded them during their recent skid. They played with urgency, purpose, and maybe most importantly, joy - the kind of joy that comes from playing for each other and finding success in the process.
“We’re doing a good job getting over the hump,” said Black, whose poise belied his youth. “It’s only one win, but we showed we can play the right way and with the right energy level.”
That energy was tested early. Orlando jumped out to a seven-point lead after the first quarter, only to watch the Heat erupt for 41 points in the second, flipping the script and taking a nine-point lead into halftime.
In the past, that might’ve been the beginning of the end. But not this time.
The Magic responded with a third quarter that felt like a statement. They outscored Miami 40-20, flipping the momentum with a mix of ball movement, defensive intensity, and timely shot-making.
By the time the fourth quarter hit, Orlando had built a 17-point lead. Miami made a push, trimming the deficit to six, but never got closer.
“We just did a good job of playing all 48 minutes the same way - with aggression,” said Black. “We did a really good job playing with a lot of intent.”
That intent was especially important given the noise surrounding the team earlier in the day. A report had surfaced suggesting tension between head coach Jamahl Mosley and Banchero - a storyline that quickly gained traction. But both coach and star were quick to shut it down.
“I don’t really have reactions to that,” Mosley said before tip-off. “That’s outside opinion.
What me and Paolo have is a constant level of competitiveness that wants to find a way to get a win. No one’s happy when you’re on a losing streak - and there shouldn’t be happiness.”
Banchero echoed that sentiment after the game, making it clear that while losing stings, there’s no rift behind the scenes.
“We have a lot of open communication,” Banchero said. “Whatever those reports are, I wouldn’t say those are true.
One thing I know about myself and one thing I know about him is that we’re both fierce competitors. When you’re losing a lot of games, people are upset.
But me and him haven’t had any blowups or arguments. We’re pretty aligned when we talk to each other and try to figure stuff out.”
He added: “Now, that’s not saying when we lose four or five in a row that I’m not pissed off, or he’s not pissed off. But in terms of our relationship, it’s been good since I’ve gotten here.”
Banchero’s performance against Miami backed up his words. He looked every bit the franchise cornerstone - aggressive, composed, and engaged on both ends. And with Black and Bane stepping up alongside him, the Magic had the firepower they needed to get over the hump.
And they did it without Franz Wagner, who missed his fourth straight game due to lingering soreness from a high ankle sprain - the same injury that kept him out for 16 games earlier this season. Wagner returned briefly for two games in Europe, but the ankle didn’t respond the way he hoped.
“Definitely not where I want it to be to play, and to play consistently,” Wagner said before the game. “Consistency is the big thing. Obviously, I really wanted to play in Berlin, but probably wasn’t ready for that yet.”
Wagner said he felt soreness after logging 26 minutes against the Grizzlies in London, following 27 minutes in his home country of Germany just days earlier. He had hoped to be ready for last week’s game against Charlotte, but it became clear he needed more time.
“I just didn’t feel like I could make the impact out there that I want,” he said. “And at the same time, I don’t think it would have been the best decision for my long-term health.”
This is Wagner’s first experience with a high ankle sprain, and he’s learning just how tricky it can be.
“It’s one of those things that can linger a little bit,” he said. “So I just want to make sure that once I get back, I’m really back, and don’t have to sit out a game here and there. I want to be good for the rest of the year.”
In the meantime, the Magic know the formula. Wednesday night showed what they’re capable of when they play connected basketball - sharing the ball, defending with purpose, and staying locked in through adversity.
“One win doesn’t save the season,” Mosley said. “But that’s what we have to do to make sure we transfer it over: Stick with how we shared the basketball, how we defended, then clean up the little things within the game that we know we can control.”
Next up: the Raptors come to town. Orlando’s still got work to do to solidify its playoff positioning, but if Wednesday was any indication, the Magic are ready to fight their way back into the conversation - together.