Franz Wagner leads Magic past Hornets despite LaMelo Ball's 44 points

On Monday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Orlando Magic faced off against the short-handed Charlotte Hornets. Franz Wagner stood out for the Magic, scoring 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. Despite the Hornets' LaMelo Ball's impressive 44-point game, the Magic managed to secure a 95-84 victory. Moritz Wagner and Cole Anthony also made significant contributions, each adding 16 points with eight rebounds. The Hornets struggled with turnovers, committing 27 which led to 33 points for Orlando, as they faced challenges being without several key players due to injuries. The Hornets saw Brandon Miller contribute 20 points and 10 rebounds, but overall, their offense lacked rhythm, leading to a poor shooting performance at 41%. Meanwhile, the Magic shot 39% from the field but their bench proved vital, outscoring Charlotte's bench 53-15. Key moments in the fourth quarter saw Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac hit consecutive three-pointers which changed the momentum of the game. Despite the setback, the Hornets had previously enjoyed a four-game home winning streak that ended with this loss. Now with injuries affecting their roster, adjustments will need to be made as they prepare for an upcoming game against Miami. For the Magic, this win sets a positive tone as they look forward to facing the Chicago Bulls next. Overall, the outcome highlights the impactful performance of Wagner and the Magic's strong bench play, overshadowing Ball's individual scoring achievements.