Magic snap streak, beat Hornets on the road

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Oct 30, 2025

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Playing their fifth game in seven days, the Magic couldn’t afford another loss.

After dropping their fourth in a row less than 24 hours earlier at Detroit, Orlando bounced back in a major way to end their losing streak, 123-107, against the Hornets at Spectrum Center on Thursday night.

Five players scored in double figures for the Magic, including Franz Wagner (21 points), Paolo Banchero (20), Wendell Carter Jr. (18) and Anthony Black (20).

The Hornets (2-3), who entered as one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the early portion of the regular season (their 41% was second-best entering the night), were held to 36.7% shooting from beyond the arc (11 for 30).

Although Magic coach Jamahl Mosley‘s squad still committed 13 turnovers for 15 points, the group took advantage of their takeaways on the defensive end, scoring 29 points off 21 Charlotte turnovers.

The Magic (2-4) continue their season-long five-game, nine-day road trip Saturday against the Wizards.

Starting 5

Playing without Jalen Suggs (left knee injury recovery) on the second night of a back-to-back, Black started in his place alongside Desmond Bane, Wagner, Banchero and Carter against Charlotte.

The third-year guard out of Arkansas made the most of the opportunity, totaling 16 points before the break on 3-of-5 shooting from distance.

For the second game in a row, Banchero recorded at least five assists in the first quarter. He took advantage of the double teams sent his direction and found open teammates to record nine assists in the first half.

Banchero finished with nine assists and nine rebounds in 33 minutes.

After fouling out early in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game, Carter bounced back as he hit three triples in 27 minutes to go with eight rebounds.

Bane (nine points) took only one 3-point attempt in the first half (in the closing moments of the second quarter) and picked up his fourth foul at the 6:09 mark of the third. He was the lone starter to end in single digits.

Wagner’s way

Earlier Thursday, Wagner popped up on Orlando’s injury report as questionable due to a left heel contusion. Mosley said pre-game he wasn’t sure exactly when and how Wagner suffered the injury during Wednesday’s game at Detroit.

After going through his pre-game routine, Wagner was upgraded to available and started as usual. If he was feeling any pain, he certainly didn’t show it.

In the first half, he shot 2 for 3 from distance for 18 points, including seven of Orlando’s first 10.

His third triple to open the third quarter put the Magic ahead by 10 points as he also had success driving to the basket (5-for-6 shooting in the paint).

Rookie watch

Magic second-round pick Noah Penda stepped on the court in the first quarter for a third game in a row.

The French forward appeared more comfortable with what the team was asking him to do on both ends of the court. He ended with three points, two rebounds and an assist in 17 minutes.

First-round pick Jase Richardson didn’t see the court until the final two minutes and Orlando ahead by 18 points. In that span, he notched two assists.