Paolo Banchero led the Orlando Magic with 25 points, with Franz Wagner contributing 20, as they secured a 108-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs during Wednesday’s NBA action.
Despite a strong effort from Devin Vassell, who scored 26 points, and Victor Wembanyama with 21, the Spurs suffered their second consecutive defeat. In a dramatic final quarter, the Spurs managed to cut a 25-point deficit down to just three points, 99-96, led to a 15-0 run. However, critical turnovers in the closing moments allowed the Magic to stifle the comeback.
This match marked a significant moment for Orlando, achieving their first win in San Antonio since November 4, 2019, moving their season record to an even 24-24. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the importance of resilience and learning from past games to maintain composure for 48 minutes.
“It’s all about growth for this group,” Mosley said. “We continue to have to go through these experiences to help us understand that it’s a 48-minute game. We were obviously on the other end of this in the Dallas game. So, you can reflect right away and understand teams are going to go on runs, just like we went on a run against them, but we’ve got to keep our poise no matter what happens.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Jeremy Sochan stood out for San Antonio with an 18-point, 12-rebound performance despite not being picked for the Rising Stars tournament at the NBA All-Star weekend. His early dominance was highlighted by a notable effort against Wagner, showcasing his potential despite a need for better pace control, as noted by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
“He goes too fast sometimes, and we’ve just got to get him to slow down,” Popovich said. “He gets rolling and skips a few steps in there, but he’s an aggressive kind of player. I think when he learns a little bit more about pace, meaning you don’t have to be at full tilt the entire time, he’ll make some better plays.”
The Spurs felt the absence of Keldon Johnson due to injury, impacting their offensive flow. In contrast, Orlando’s core of Wagner, Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr., and Jonathan Isaac proved too much for San Antonio, combining for efficient scoring from the field.
“We’ve got to be better at the end of the third, start of the fourth,” Wagner said. “We had a couple of lapses here and there. We’ve got to make sure to keep those stretches a little shorter.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Orlando’s advantage was particularly evident in the critical moments at the end of the first and second quarters, transforming an 11-point deficit into a 57-51 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw the Magic extend their lead significantly, capitalizing on Spurs turnovers with dynamic plays from Banchero and Jalen Suggs. Despite the loss, Wembanyama remained optimistic about overcoming large deficits, highlighting the team’s resilience.
“Not necessarily, but it definitely doesn’t help us,” Wembanyama said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Spurs are amid a seven-game homestand, coinciding with the annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, affecting their schedule.
Looking ahead, the Magic are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Spurs will host the New Orleans Pelicans, both games scheduled for Friday.
