Markelle Fultz was a late scratch from Saturday’s Magic home game against the Bucks but Orlando was able to snap a 14-game losing streak against Milwaukee.
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner combined to score 50 as they powered the Magic to the team’s first win, 112-97, against the Bucks at Amway Center since 2018.
“We knew this was kind of — I don’t want to say this was a must-win — but this was a game that we couldn’t play around [with] or come out flat,” Banchero said after the game. “We had to be on 100 [percent] from the jump so that was just our mentality.
“Beating a team like that, it’s a good feeling but we’re able to compete with anybody.”
Fultz missed his fourth game of the year due to left knee tendinitis, which is the same knee that he had surgery on to repair a torn ACL eight games into the 2020-21 season.
While the Magic were without Fultz, the Bucks didn’t have All-Star guard Damian Lillard due to right calf soreness. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 35.
The Magic travel to Brooklyn on Tuesday to open group play of the In-Season Tournament and begin a four-game road trip.
Starting 5
With Fultz out, rookie Anthony Black returned to the Magic’s starting lineup as he’s done twice already this season filling in for the regular starting point guard.
The No. 6 overall pick joined Jalen Suggs, Wagner, Banchero and Goga Bitadze against the Bucks as the team continues to adjust without Wendell Carter Jr., who underwent surgery last week to repair a fractured third metacarpal in his left hand.
Suggs was able to get to the free throw line early, sinking 8 of 10 attempts in the first half. Although he shot the ball well from distance (2 of 3), he failed to scored in the second half to finish with 18.
Banchero (26 points) attacked the basket and grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the year.
Wagner (24) did much of the same as Banchero. He pushed the ball in transition at times while cutting and rolling to the basket during offensive sets.
Second Unit
With Gary Harris (sore right groin) missing his fourth game in a row, coach Jamahl Mosley turned to Joe Ingles, Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac and Moe Wagner for a 9-man rotation.
Playing against his former team, Ingles served as a playmaker at times for the Magic, distributing the ball for 5 assists. He struggled, however, to shoot the ball from distance, where he went 1 of 4.
Moe Wagner powered the bench on offense with 19 points but it was Isaac (10 points) who closed out the game with Orlando’s starters as he helped defend Antetokounmpo.
Rookie Watch
Black played off ball with starters as others such as Wagner, Suggs and Banchero brought the ball up the court most of the time.
He was quiet on offense scoring just 2 points on 1-of-3 shooting with 3 assists but played late in the game due to the length he offers on defense.
Harris Health Update
Mosley shared an updated timeline pregame on the veteran sharpshooter.
“We’re continuing to evaluate him as he’s going through more things on the court now,” Mosley said. “It’s going to continue to be a day-to-day look at him and what he’s doing.”
Harris returning sooner rather than later would bode for the Magic, who miss his 3-point accuracy.
Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on X, also known as Twitter, at @therealBeede.
![Magic rookie Anthony Black made his fourth start Tuesday night against the Nets. His teammates have noticed his confidence on the court. "I do like [that] he's got a little feistiness to him," Orlando center Moe Wagner said. "He talks a little smack sometimes which I like."](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Magic-Nets-Basketball.jpg?w=525 "Magic rookie Anthony Black made his fourth start Tuesday night against the Nets. His teammates have noticed his confidence on the court. \"I do like [that] he's got a little feistiness to him,\" Orlando center Moe Wagner said. \"He talks a little smack sometimes which I like.\"")
