Franz Wagner's downhill drives overmatched Knicks

Franz Wagner just posted his best game of the season and one of the best games for his career.

What’s promising from this dominant performance against the Knicks is how Franz did it, destroying mismatch after mismatch as New York dearly missed their premier big wing defender, OG Anunoby.

Wagner had his choice of matchup just about any possession; for whatever reason, the Knicks were not using Mikal Bridges, one of the NBA's other premier big wing defenders, to guard Franz Wagner, preferring to involve Bridges more on the offensive end.

Instead, Franz Wagner had his choice of an all-you-can-eat buffet mostly shuffling between two defenders – a 6ft-4in shooting guard and a 7ft heavy-footed shot-blocking center.

Maybe the Knicks forgot they just let Chef Wagner cook up their defense 10 days earlier.

Chef Wagner cooks Knicks up into barbecue chicken, again

Wagner drives on Robinson — Nov 22, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives to the basket against the New York Knicks in the third quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Exhibit A:

In just 3:40 minutes of playtime, roughly 26 partial possessions with Mitchell Robinson defending him,
Franz Wagner scored 23 PTS on 9 FGA with 2 3PM and 1 AST while 3 fouls for 5 FTA as the Magic scored 35 PTS.

In 4:54 minutes of playtime, roughoy 19 partial possessions with Josh Hart defending him,
Franz Wagner posted 9 PTS & 3 AST as the Magic scored 31 PTS.

As Shaq famously said, "barbecue chicken."

Now take into evidence, Exhibit B:

3 Season-Highs with 37 PTS, 7 AST, and 4 3PM

full box score:
37 PTS - 7 AST / 1 TO - 6 REB
impacting +18.2 BPM (!)
scoring 84% TS%
shooting 9/13 2P - 4/6 3P - 7/7 FTA

The Official Franz Wagner Magic Knicks Mixtape from 11.22.25

The Official Franz Wagner Magic Knicks Mixtape

37 PTS
7 AST (1 TO)
6 REB
4 3PM
84% TS%
18.2 BPM (!) pic.twitter.com/Ps0JK6XK3A
— Ryan Kaminski NBA (@beyondtheRK) November 23, 2025

Wagner‘s been on a tear as the clear number one option for Orlando since Banchero went down, but he’s really been having an equally incredible season all year.

18gp
23 PPG
4 APG (2 TOV)
6 RPG
1 SPG
52% on 12 2PA
35% on 5 3PA
83% on 8 FTA

7gp without Paolo (including @ NY)
25 PPG
7 RPG
4 APG (1 TOV)
1 SPG
52% on 12 2PA
33% on 5 3PA
81% on 9 FTA

The big difference now is his usage has gone up because Orlando‘s other star is unavailable so somebody’s got to pick up the slack.

Another key difference is the hierarchy of roles being more clearly defined; the offense looks more in-sync because everyone knows their roles and frankly, Banchero slows the pace of the endless drive-and-kick system the team otherwise runs to sometimes look for his own shot, so when he's out there, the ball moves a lot quicker.

Critics should remember, though, just because the ball is moving, doesn't mean you'll get a shot than a Paolo Banchero ISO or Post-Up.

One of benefits of this team's team-first two-way depth is there’s so many versatile defenders who can put the ball on the floor, shoot the rock, and create a little bit that you can form a well-balanced two-way lineup in a variety of combinations.

So even when the Magic are missing one or two or even three of their best players or primary offensive creators, they always have multiple dependable options who are ready to plug and play.

With Banchero out, Suggs working his way back in full-time, Wagner and Bane (then Black and da Silva) are left to carry the offensive load.

All are looking like starting caliber players starring in their role, or in Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane's case, straight-up stars.

With more defined roles and order of operations, there’s less unknown about who should hunt shots first and look to pass second.

Everyone gets unleashed a little bit more, expanding their role; this team is built to not only survive but thrive when missing players; the real question is how scary this Magic offense could become for the rest of the league once all of of Orlando's stars get in sync.

Combine a perennial elite defense with an efficient offense, and look out.

Anthony Black credits dynamic downhill footwork to something surprising:

Running Wide Receiver football drills and playing a range of sports growing up

for @MagicOnSI:https://t.co/1DXSL1e96k
— Ryan Kaminski NBA (@beyondtheRK) November 19, 2025

Anthony Black is making 77% FG% of his shots within 0-3ft, a rate as efficient as Giannis, up from 63% FG% last year and 68% FG% his rookie season.

31% of AB's shots are at the rim

15 dunks in 18gm (T-42nd)

is this The God Shammgod Effect? @MagicOnSI https://t.co/DAUJVpQR1M
— Ryan Kaminski NBA (@beyondtheRK) November 24, 2025

Tristan da Silva's team ranks:

1st in C&S 3pt Volume (3.9 3PA/gm)
3rd in C&S 3pt Efficiency (41% 3P%)
T-2nd in scoring efficiency on off-ball Cuts PPP

Tristan da Silva's scalable scoring versatility makes him prime for a leap, for @MagicOnSI https://t.co/Mp7BW6WydW
— Ryan Kaminski NBA (@beyondtheRK) November 16, 2025