CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In an impressive display, Franz Wagner contributed significantly to the Orlando Magic’s victory over the Charlotte Hornets with a stellar fourth quarter, scoring 13 of his total 21 points. The Magic overcame a challenging night, securing a 95-84 triumph against a depleted Hornets team, despite LaMelo Ball’s remarkable 44-point performance.

Supporting Wagner, both Moritz Wagner and Cole Anthony offered solid performances off the bench, each scoring 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Jonathan Isaac also made his mark in the final quarter, connecting on three crucial corner 3-pointers and finishing with 11 points.

Ball, fresh off a career-high 50 points in a previous game against the Milwaukee Bucks, showcased his skills once more with not only his scoring but also nine rebounds and seven assists. Alongside him, Brandon Miller contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Hornets struggled offensively, committing a staggering 27 turnovers that translated into 33 points for the Magic, as the rest of the Charlotte roster managed to combine for just 20 points.

Despite Orlando’s overall shooting percentage languishing at 39%, they faced a Charlotte team that managed a mere 41% from the field, exhibiting a lack of cohesion on the offensive front.

Key insights from the match indicate that the Magic were severely outrebounded 52-39, even with the absence of Charlotte’s top two centers. Additionally, Orlando guard Gary Harris was sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered in the first quarter, further complicating their roster situation.

For the Hornets, the absence of players like Mark Williams, Nick Richards, Grant Williams, and Tre Mann meant extended minutes for Ball and Miller. Coach Charles Lee utilized rookies K.J. Simpson and Nick Smith Jr., which influenced the team’s on-court chemistry.

A pivotal moment in the game occurred early in the fourth quarter when Franz Wagner and Isaac each sank 3-pointers, giving the Magic a 69-64 lead, which solidified their control of the match. Wagner capped his effort with another 3-pointer, extending the lead to 11 points with just 1:33 remaining.

In a striking contrast, the Orlando bench outperformed their Charlotte counterparts remarkably, scoring 53 points compared to a mere 15 from the Hornets’ bench.

Looking ahead, the Magic are set to host the Chicago Bulls, while the Hornets will take on the Miami Heat in their next games on Wednesday night.