Orlando came back from 12 down to win at New York and move to 1-2, 10th in the East. Jalen Suggs left the game with a right knee injury and is listed day-to-day, so the rotation Sean Sweeney leans on is thinner again.
Franz Wagner closed the game by attacking the rim.
Wagner scored 21 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, after Orlando trailed 86-76 early in the period. He added 13 rebounds and 9 assists, one short of a triple-double, on 9-of-23 shooting. Orlando Magic Daily's Philip Rossman-Reich noted he got to the basket once the lanes opened. This is the next step for Wagner: carrying the offense when the shots are not falling.
Suggs' knee is now the biggest short-term worry.
Suggs went down on a non-contact play going up for a layup with about two minutes left, and he is listed day-to-day with a right knee injury. Sweeney told reporters he would be evaluated, per the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. Suggs also shot poorly, with true shooting at 37.2% over his last five games. The estimate on the injury report is October 28, the night at Toronto.
The bench showed what the young guards can give.
Anthony Black scored 18 on 5-of-7 from three and finished plus-21 in 26 minutes. Tristan da Silva added 19 and was plus-20. Jase Richardson was minus-22 in 17 minutes, a reminder that the learning curve is uneven. With Banchero out until an estimated November 22, these minutes are development and survival at once.
The schedule gives Orlando a window.
The Magic play at Toronto on October 28 and again on October 30, then host Boston on November 1 and Washington on November 2. Orlando is a game behind Indiana for sixth and level with the 10th seed. Two games against one opponent in three days will reward the team that adjusts first.
What is the Magic's record after beating the Knicks?
Orlando is 1-2 after the 111-102 win at New York on October 25, and sits 10th in the East.
When is Paolo Banchero expected back?
The injury report lists an estimated return of November 22 for his right ankle. He is out until then.
