Franz Wagner knocks down late shots, and more takeaways from Magic-Nets

The Orlando Magic squeaked out a 105-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets inside Kia Center in Emirates Cup group stage play on Friday. What were a few of our takeaways?! Let's examine!

Turnovers, poor defense put Magic behind 8-ball early:

Magic Nets — Nov 14, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) goes to the basket against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

It took a while for the Magic to get off the ground.

Orlando sleepwalked through the opening 18 minutes against the now 1-11 Nets, falling behind 16 in the first half courtesy of 10 early turnovers and poor defense.

Magic had a difficult time slowing down Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton in the pick-and-roll early. Brooklyn was abusing Goga Bitadze in drop, with Claxton as the recipient of three lobs (plus one from Day'Ron Sharpe). Porter had 11 first-quarter points and six assists, with Ziaire Williams and Noah Clowney also getting let loose.

Nets did a good job capitalizing off early Magic mistakes, scoring 15 points off turnovers in the first half. Orlando was careless and lackadaisical, two ingredients that are recipes for a disaster at any point in the game.

Tristan da Silva steps up in Paolo Banchero's absence:

Second-year forward Tristan da Silva was elevated to the starting lineup in Paolo Banchero's absence (groin strain), and was outstanding. da Silva was critical to the Magic's second-quarter surge, scoring eight points over their 13-0 run to cut it to three -- including this incredibly crafty left-handed hook shot.

Tristan da Silva left-handed running hook 😱

watch → https://t.co/nkRAMBcfGv pic.twitter.com/nNWidQ0sbP
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 15, 2025

da Silva did a phenomenal job attacking open space and looked incredibly comfortable both on- and off-ball offensively. He didn't try to force the issue; it all came within the flow of the offense.

Oh, and the Colorado alum also hauled down a team-high nine rebounds -- to go with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. His impact, once again, was loud.

The bank is open on a Friday:

This ending summarized in one play? Franz Wagner banks in a contested 3-pointer for the lead with 1:24 left.

Franz Wagner bank three, Jalen Suggs assists pic.twitter.com/BZHz8L125W
— The Magic Way (@MagicFilmRoom) November 15, 2025

Wagner knocked down another -- this time a step-back three -- over Nic Claxton two possessions later, all but icing the Magic's seven-point win.

Franz Wagner stepback three over Claxton pic.twitter.com/b3tFQpD3Pe
— The Magic Way (@MagicFilmRoom) November 15, 2025

Wagner finished with a team-high 25 points on 7-of-17 shooting, but missed six of his first seven 3-pointers before those two makes. And they were two of his most important 3-point makes of the season.

This wasn't a pretty win for the Magic. In the end, however, they don't ask "how," they ask "how many?"

Turnovers, poor defense put Magic behind 8-ball early:

Tristan da Silva steps up in Paolo Banchero's absence:

The bank is open on a Friday:

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