Carter, who signed with the Magic in early February following his release from the Chicago Bulls, called out what he described as “selfish” play as Orlando let momentum slip away.

“I feel like once we get leads, we get a little selfish. I just feel like I said, once we get the lead we just got to keep attacking what’s working instead of worrying about if we’re having a good night, bad night, or let me get my stats. Just sticking together.”

The 30-year-old guard finished with 14 points, three assists, two rebounds, a steal and a block in 22 minutes. He shot 5-for-10 from the field and 4-for-9 from 3-point range, providing energy and spacing off the bench as the Magic appeared in control before Houston’s surge.

Jevon Carter embraces veteran voice as Desmond Bane caps historic February

Carter also addressed his role as a vocal veteran presence within a young Orlando locker room.

“I feel like I’m being that voice, you know, calling it as I see it… not worried about hurting feelings [and] just being honest, just being real. It’s a young group, guys are looking to win, we’re trying to find the right way to do things right and you know, it’s just my job to come in and just tell guys what I see and just give advice when I see it fit.”

The Magic led by as many as 19 points in the second half but allowed Houston to chip away with timely shot-making and defensive stops. Orlando’s execution faltered during key stretches, and the Rockets capitalized behind their half-court creators.

Desmond Bane paced the Magic with 30 points, adding six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 38 minutes. He shot 12-for-19 from the field and 6-for-10 from beyond the arc without attempting a free throw, finishing with a team-high plus-9 rating.

Magic G Jevon Carter holding new teammates accountable after Orlando gives up 19pt lead in 4 MIN:

“Once we get leads, we get a little selfish.

I feel like I’m being that (vet) voice…

Not worried about hurting feelings. Just being honest…

It’s a young group looking to win.” pic.twitter.com/qroxquMYtc

— Ryan Kaminski NBA (@beyondtheRK) February 27, 2026

Despite the loss, Bane’s performance added to what has been a historic February. He became just the sixth player in NBA history to score at least 250 points in the month while shooting 59% or better from the field and 49% or better from 3-point range (minimum 10 3-point attempts). The group includes Kevin Johnson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns and John Collins.

Bane says Magic ‘beat ourselves’ in collapse vs. Rockets

Bane addressed the collapse after the game.

“I thought we beat ourselves. I thought that we had a few turnovers [and] lapses on the defensive end. They were able to gain some momentum. I thought we had them in a good spot up 19 or so and they go on like a 8 or 9-0 run heading into a timeout, got a free throw coming out of the timeout. And I mean, they are who they are for a reason. They’ve got two of the best half-court players in the NBA and we gave them life. Good teams… We’re better than that. We’ve got to bury them when we’ve got the chance to.”

Houston closed the game behind Kevin Durant, who scored 40 points and went 10-for-10 from the free-throw line in 40 minutes.

With the loss, Orlando fell to 31-27 on the season and continued a four-game homestand. The Magic will look to regroup Sunday when they host the Detroit Pistons (43-14) at 6:00 p.m. ET, seeking to respond after letting a significant opportunity slip away.

The post Magic’s new face calls out ‘selfish’ play after blown 19-point lead vs. Rockets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Magic’s Paolo Banchero will be the first to admit stretching before any basketball activity is a non-negotiable. He details suffering from shin splints as a junior and it hindering his game, until he met with a trainer who taught him a stretching routine with a rubber band. While difficult at first, Banchero kept with the routine and eventually saw his shin splints disappear. He’s incorporated the routine before all basketball activities ever since.

“Ever since then, I just never stop doing it, and now I can’t workout, I can’t practice without doing it, it activates my body.I think just being my size, being flexible and being able to move in different directions and stuff, it’s all important.”

Banchero’s Air Jordan 4020 PE

Paolo Banchero debuts a new Air Jordan 4020 PE inspired by his training band pic.twitter.com/JM4Ra5tiAo

— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) February 23, 2026

Paolo Banchero Air Jordan 4020 PE pic.twitter.com/AUOyKz4bKq

— ミドリマン (@midorimanbb) February 24, 2026

Signed as a Jordan Brand athlete, Banchero is always first in line to rock his own PE (player exclusive) of the latest Jordan technology. Recently seen in the Air Jordan 4020, the sneakers draw perfect resemblance to the vibrant green color of the rubber band Banchero uses during his routine. Featured in a clean white and neutral grey base, we see the green along the back heel, outsole, and most notably the oversized strap across the midfoot.

While rocking the new PE’s, Banchero tallied 16 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists en route to a 111-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Clearly, both the pre-game stretching and sneakers paid off, but we’re not sure as to whether this colorway will release to the public just yet or remain exclusive to the former Rookie of the Year.

The post Paolo Banchero’s Air Jordan sneakers come with unique backstory appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Bane scored 30 points, adding six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 38 minutes. He shot 12-for-19 from the field and 6-for-10 from 3-point range without attempting a free throw, finishing with a team-high plus-9 rating.

Following the game, Magic writer Josh Cohen noted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Bane had entered rare statistical company.

“The @OrlandoMagic’s Desmond Bane became the sixth player in @NBA history to score 250-plus points while shooting 59-plus percent from the field overall and 49-plus percent from 3-point range (min. 10 3-point attempts) in the month of February.”

The @OrlandoMagic‘s Desmond Bane became the sixth player in @NBA history to score 250-plus points while shooting 59-plus percent from the field overall and 49-plus percent from 3-point range (min. 10 3-point attempts) in the month of February. pic.twitter.com/LdpCQZ7eXZ

— Josh Cohen (@Josh_Cohen_NBA) February 27, 2026

Cohen added that Bane joins Kevin Johnson, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns and John Collins as the only players to accomplish the feat in February.

Desmond Bane’s historic February places him alongside LeBron James, Kevin Durant

The milestone places the Orlando Magic guard alongside two of the most prolific scorers of the modern era in LeBron James and Kevin Durant, underscoring the efficiency of Bane’s month-long stretch. Durant, who powered Houston in Thursday’s matchup, scored 40 points with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. He shot 14-for-28 from the field and converted all 10 of his free throws in 40 minutes.

Across 11 games in February, Bane has averaged 24.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per contest. He is shooting 59.1% from the field and 49.3% from 3-point range during that span while logging 33.9 minutes per game. His 84.3% mark from the free-throw line further reflects the scoring balance that has fueled Orlando’s offense throughout the month.

On the season, the 27-year-old guard is averaging 20.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc across 58 games. He is converting a career-high 91.4% of his free-throw attempts in 34.1 minutes per night.

Despite Bane’s efficiency, Orlando could not hold off Houston’s late push. The loss dropped the Magic to 31-27 as they continue a four-game homestand.

The Magic will look to regroup Sunday when they host the Detroit Pistons (43-14), the NBA’s top team, at 6:00 p.m. ET. While the setback against Houston stung, Bane’s historic February production has positioned him among elite company and provided a steady offensive anchor as Orlando navigates the final stretch of the regular season.

The post Magic star Desmond Bane joins legendary LeBron James, Kevin Durant list with historic February stats appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports indicate that the NBA is fining the 27-year-old wing $25,000 for throwing the ball into the stands, per NBA Communications. That is the typical amount players are fined for that violation.

“Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane has been fined $25,000 for throwing the game ball with force into the spectator stands, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. The incident occurred at the conclusion of the Magic’s 110-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 24.”

Bane will likely pay the fine and move on, which is usually how most of the fines work. The six-year veteran was one of the key contributors in Tuesday’s win over the Lakers, as he finished the game with 22 points, one rebound, six assists, and a steal while shooting 47.3% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the three-point line.

Desmond Bane is only being fined and will be available in Thursday’s contest against the Rockets. He is expected to play a key role for the Magic once again, as Orlando seeks its third consecutive win. With the club in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, continuing a winning streak would be huge. Especially if the Magic can somehow get up to the sixth-seed and avoid the play-in tournament.

The post Magic’s Desmond Bane fined $25,000 after throwing ball into stands vs. Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Carter finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes. He shot 9-for-13 from the field and added two free throws, controlling the paint throughout the contest before securing the late putback that sealed the win.

Postgame, Carter credited his teammates for encouraging him to maintain an assertive mindset.

“Honestly, I give a lot of credit to my teammates. You know, those guys we start out with, Des, P, AB, J. Suggs, we got out there, Tristan, they all have encouraged me. They tell me when I’m aggressive, it takes our team to a new level on the offensive end.”

He elaborated on how that approach impacts the group beyond the box score.

“Cause a lot of things I do that don’t show up in this box score night in and night out. But they say offensively that that unlocks another chapter for this team is when I’m aggressive. So I definitely give a lot of credit to them. But then at the same time, just processing the game, slowing it down a little bit mentally, but still playing at a fast, a high pace.”

Wendell Carter Jr. on his big offensive night, including the game-winner over the Lakers:

“I give a lot of credit to my teammates. They tell me when I’m aggressive, it takes us to another level.” pic.twitter.com/UCmb2drIVB

— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 25, 2026

The Magic leaned on that interior presence against Los Angeles, particularly in a tight fourth quarter. Orlando improved to 31-26 with the victory, closing its four-game Western Conference road trip with consecutive wins over both Los Angeles teams.

Wendell Carter Jr.’s aggressiveness lifts Magic past Lakers

Carter’s production this season reflects a steady role within Orlando’s rotation. In his sixth year with the franchise, the 26-year-old center is averaging 11.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game across 54 appearances. He is shooting 48.7% from the field, 32.2% from 3-point range and a career-high 80.1% from the free-throw line while logging 29.6 minutes per contest.

While Carter’s game-winning effort highlighted his night, the broader theme of aggressiveness has surfaced repeatedly in Orlando’s recent surge. Teammates have emphasized that when Carter attacks decisively, whether finishing at the rim, stepping into mid-range looks, or crashing the glass, it creates additional spacing and rhythm for the offense.

The Magic also received another standout performance from Paolo Banchero, who recorded 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists against the Lakers. Orlando’s ability to generate balanced contributions on both the perimeter and interior has fueled momentum entering the final stretch of the regular season.

With the road trip complete, Orlando returns home to open a four-game homestand beginning Thursday against the Houston Rockets (35-21) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video. As the Magic push to solidify their standing in the Eastern Conference, Carter’s emphasis on controlled aggression could remain a central factor in sustaining their upward trajectory.

The post Wendell Carter Jr. reveals ‘aggressive’ secret to Magic leveling up after heroics vs. Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Wendell Carter Jr., who recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes — including the game-winning putback — praised Banchero’s defensive focus and competitiveness.

“Man, when P is locked in defensively he’s one of the best in this league. He has the potential one of the best two way players to ever play this game in my opinion. He had two big challenges with Kawhi the other night and then Luka tonight. He took that challenge head on. When he’s in that mode, when he’s locked in, man, it unlocks his team and takes us to whole another level.”

On Sunday, Leonard scored 37 points against Orlando, adding eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks while shooting 14-for-25 from the field. Two nights later, Doncic faced a more disruptive defensive presence from the Magic. The Lakers star finished with 22 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds but shot 8-for-24 from the field and 2-for-10 from 3-point range while committing two turnovers.

Wendell Carter Jr. on Paolo Banchero’s defense this season:

“When P is locked in defensively, he’s one of the best in this league. He has the potential to be one of the best two-way players ever… When he’s in that mode, it takes us to another level.” pic.twitter.com/qHDu8BIgJ6

— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 25, 2026

Paolo Banchero accepts challenge of guarding elite scorers

Banchero addressed the defensive responsibility of guarding premier scorers across the league.

“Yeah, I think it’s just me, you know, accepting the challenge. You know, I think a lot of times, you know, coaches want, you know, some of the better players to guard a guy. They don’t have to expend as much energy. But, you know, having Jalen out, having Franz out, Those are two of our best perimeter defenders. And so I know that I got to step up on that side of the ball. And I’m a big guy, I can move. I feel like I’m a good defender, especially one on one, guarding bigger guys, bigger guards.”

He acknowledged the difficulty of containing stars but emphasized effort and physicality.

Paolo on defending Kawhi Leonard, Luka Dončić the last two games:

“With Jalen and Franz out, I know I’ve got to step up on that side. I’m a big guy, I can move. You’re not going to stop guys like that, but you can make it hard on them — make them miss a couple, make them work.” pic.twitter.com/HMurC2OMrI

— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 25, 2026

“And so guarding guys like that, you’re not going to stop them from scoring, but you can make your heart on them, make them miss a couple shots, just make them expend a lot of energy. So that’s just what I’ve been trying to do. Kawhi obviously had a big night, but getting a couple of stops and just making it difficult and you know, look at him being a hell of a player and just a creator with the ball in his hands, you know, trying to just show my body and you know, be there when he’s trying to get looks, make plays.”

Banchero’s offensive output remained steady. Against the Lakers, he added 10 rebounds and six assists while shooting 12-for-22 from the field and 10-for-11 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes.

Magic contain Luka Doncic as Banchero delivers late vs. Lakers

Head coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the collective challenge of defending Doncic while highlighting Banchero’s timely shot-making.

“Listen, sometimes when he shoots, you just gotta hope it doesn’t go in. Because he’s that good and when the game was on the line, he took the big three that put them up three. And Paolo comes back and hit one. As soon as that one went up in the corner, you know it’s good because that’s what he’s done. I’ve seen him do it. He did it when we played Portland when we were in Dallas. I’ve seen that same exact shot. So you’ve just got to keep mixing the coverages up against him, make it difficult, do your best to do it without fouling, and just continue to make it tough on him.”

Orlando held Doncic below his season average of 32.5 points while limiting his efficiency. With the win, the Magic improved to 31-26 and secured road victories over both Los Angeles teams in the same season for the first time since 2012-13.

The Magic return home Thursday to begin a four-game homestand against the Houston Rockets (35-21). As Orlando continues its push in the Eastern Conference standings, Banchero’s willingness to defend elite scorers while carrying the offensive load underscores the franchise cornerstone’s growing two-way ceiling.

The post How Magic’s Paolo Banchero showed all-time 2-way potential in Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic showdowns appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Banchero finished with a game-high 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes. He shot 12-for-22 from the field, 2-for-6 from 3-point range and 10-for-11 from the free-throw line as the Magic improved to 31-26.

According to the team’s PR account on X, formerly known as Twitter, Banchero recorded his 14th career game with at least 35 points. That total ranks third in Orlando Magic history behind Tracy McGrady (75) and Shaquille O’Neal (54), and ahead of Anfernee Hardaway (13) and Dwight Howard (13).

The performance also marked the third time in Banchero’s career that he posted at least 35 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a game. That total ties him with O’Neal for the second-most such games in franchise history. McGrady holds the record with 16.

Jamahl Mosley praises Paolo Banchero’s aggression, downhill attack vs. Lakers

Head coach Jamahl Mosley credited Banchero’s downhill pressure and assertiveness as the driving force behind the win.

“Yeah, I just think his aggression level, the quick decision, getting downhill, finding the matchup that he likes, attacking the basket, putting pressure on the defense. I mean, more than anything, when you look at it, he got to the free throw line 11 times. That’s aggression. That’s determination. That’s focus, getting downhill. And then he’s knocking them down.”

Jamahl Mosley on Paolo Banchero’s 36 in the win over the Lakers:

“His aggression — getting downhill and to the line 11 times. That’s focus. That’s determination.

“He creates the mismatch. The drive and kick to Desmond for three — big-time play. pic.twitter.com/wgAXpc0Bxw

— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 25, 2026

Mosley emphasized Banchero’s ability to create mismatches and make timely decisions, including a late drive-and-kick that led to a crucial 3-pointer from Desmond Bane.

“So just continuing to be the aggressor. As soon as he steps on the floor, he creates the mismatch. He’s got eyes on him. These guys are loaded up to him. So his ability to make the quick decisions, get downhill, that last play that he gets downhill attacking and sprays it out to Desmond for the knock down three, those are big time plays. And that’s what we’re going to keep needing from him down the stretch.”

Magic momentum grows after statement wins in Los Angeles

Banchero echoed that approach when asked about his performance.

“Yeah, just being aggressive, you know, being aggressive downhill, making plays for others. I think that always opens the game up for me. If I’m able to keep the defense honest with my passing. Yeah, just being aggressive when the ball’s in my hands, you know, making the defense respect me and just always hunting my shots and also looking for the pass as well.”

The 23-year-old has averaged 21.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists over his last 10 games while shooting 42.4% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range in 36.4 minutes per contest. On the season, he is averaging 21.5 points, a career-high 8.4 rebounds and five assists across 46 games while shooting 45% from the field.

Paolo Banchero on his aggressive mindset vs. the Lakers

“Just being aggressive downhill and making plays for others. That opens the game up for me. When the ball’s in my hands, it’s about hunting my shots and keeping the defense honest with my passing.” pic.twitter.com/VD3wfzJKyg

— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 25, 2026

The win also carried historical significance. As noted by Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Beede on X, Orlando’s victories over the Clippers (111-109) and Lakers (110-109) marked the franchise’s first season since 2012-13 in which it defeated both Los Angeles teams on the road.

The Magic return home to open a four-game homestand Thursday against the Houston Rockets (35-21) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video, looking to extend their two-game winning streak behind Banchero’s continued ascent into elite company.

The post Magic star Paolo Banchero joins elite club with 36-point masterpiece vs. Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Doncic then stepped in, but he picked up his dribble, leading him into no man’s land. He tried to find a pass, and LeBron James was the closest person to him. By that time, the clock was near zero, and James had to take a turnaround three-pointer, which did not go in, and the Lakers walked away with the loss.

After the game, James was asked about the final play and what he saw.

“I’m not sure,” James said. “Obviously, you’ll have to ask Luka what he saw. I thought he had a good look, and it looked like he kind of lost his balance and didn’t have a rhythm with the ball.”

“I’m not sure. Obviously you’ll have to ask Luka what he saw. I thought he had a good look and it looked like he kind of lost his balance and didn’t have a rhythm with the ball” – LeBron James on the Lakers’ final inbounds play to Luka Doncic pic.twitter.com/ajWVYjl4sP

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 25, 2026

Doncic was also asked about the play, and he noted that he didn’t have any communication with James afterwards. He did explain what happened in those finals seconds.

“I mean, I just saw him open and I didn’t want to lose the ball. We didn’t have timeouts. … [But] I shouldn’t have picked up the ball. I should have attacked. … That’s on me,” Doncic said.

Q: Did you have any communication with LeBron after the final play?
Doncic: "No." 
Q: When you passed it to him, did you think he had a shot or did you recognize it would be a tough opportunity?
Doncic: "I mean, I just saw him open and I didn’t want to lose the ball. We didn’t… pic.twitter.com/It6GfGJ2m2

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 25, 2026

In those moments, everybody knows that Doncic is likely going to take the last shot. It’s surprising that he passed the ball in that situation, but he picked up his dribble and had nowhere to go. James is one of the only other people who should get the ball in the final seconds, so Doncic did right with that, it was just not enough time on the clock.

The post What Lakers’ LeBron James, Luka Doncic said about totally botching final play in loss to Magic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Magic finished with a .500 record (41-41) in 2024-25, which was the seventh-best in the Eastern Conference. Black says the league can expect the Magic to play its best brand of basketball amidst the final stretch of the regular season, he said, per ESPN’s NBA Today.

“Just getting consistent you know, with the way we play. Just the energy we bring every night, especially on the defensive side of the ball,” Black said. “Just making a push. We expect to be playing our best basketball in this stretch of the season. Just figuring it out.”

"Just getting consistent you know, with the way we play."

Magic guard Anthony Black on what the team has to do to become a top six seed in the Eastern Conference pic.twitter.com/iaky7rodM3

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 23, 2026

Anthony Black scored 11 points in the Magic’s win against the Clippers. Desmond Banae’s 36 points led all five starters in double figures, including Paolo Banchero (16 points), and Wendell Carter Jr. (15 points).

Paolo Banchero reveals Magic’s biggest issues after Suns loss

After bouncing back with a hard-fought win against the Clippers, the Magic could have Jalen Suggs back for Tuesday when they the Lakers. Magic forward Paolo Banchero highlighted his team’s shortcomings from its double-overtime loss to the Sunday, which seemed to carry over in Sunday’s win against the Clippers.

“I wasn’t on the ball so I was focused on guarding the inbounder. I didn’t really see too much, just turned my head and the ball was in the air,” Banchero said.

“I mean not ideal, but [I] thought we played hard, I just didn’t think we made enough plays down the stretch they made – a couple more than we did and yeah, definitely stings a little bit. Just [a] tough game.”

Tuesday’s matchup against the Lakers will conclude the Magic’s four-game road trip.

The post Magic’s Anthony Black reveals key to becoming a top-six seed appeared first on ClutchPoints.

According to the team’s latest injury report, Suggs’ status shifted from back spasms to a back strain. While the guard remains questionable, the updated diagnosis represents a more defined injury classification as Orlando prepares to close out its four-game road trip following the All-Star break.

Suggs has missed the Magic’s last two games after being ruled out shortly before tip-off in each contest. Orlando pushed the Phoenix Suns to double overtime without him before responding with a narrow 111-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The team has managed to stay afloat during his absence, but his two-way presence remains a key component of the rotation.

The 24-year-old guard is averaging 13.9 points, 5.4 assists, four rebounds and a career-high 1.9 steals per game across 34 appearances this season. Suggs, a former All-Defensive Second Team selection, is shooting 44.2% from the field and 32.8% from 3-point range while logging 26.5 minutes per contest.

Jalen Suggs injury update adds uncertainty to Magic-Lakers showdown

A back strain designation typically signals a more structured recovery timeline than spasms, though the Magic have not provided additional details regarding severity. The team has continued to evaluate Suggs on a game-to-game basis, and his availability against the Lakers will likely depend on pregame warmups.

Orlando enters Tuesday’s contest looking to build on momentum gained from its win over the Clippers. The matchup marks the final stop of the Magic’s four-game Western Conference swing before returning home.

The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, come in at 34-22 and remain firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture. With both teams navigating injuries late in the season, roster availability could play a significant role in determining the outcome.

For the Orlando Magic, the update to Jalen Suggs’ injury designation does not change his official status. However, the shift from spasms to strain adds uncertainty going forward as the team attempts to complete its road trip on a strong note.

The post Magic guard Jalen Suggs’ injury status unchanged, but surprising twist may impact availability vs. Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Leonard delivered a dominant performance, finishing with a game-high 37 points to go along with eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks in 33 minutes. He shot 14-for-25 from the field, 2-for-7 from 3-point range and 7-for-9 from the free-throw line.

After the game, Carter reflected on the challenge of defending Leonard.

“Kawhi, especially as of late, is probably the best player in this league. Again, he gets his spots whenever he wants to. Very calm, very collective. He never feels like he’s rushed or sped up at all. Very solid defensively, guard, most guys on the court. So he’s one of those guys you try to just contain throughout the game, make it tough, make everyone look for them tough and then late game like we did, try to get the ball out of his hand, make someone else beat us. So I think we did a really good job of that late down the stretch. And it was definitely something we could learn from going forward.”

Wendell Carter Jr. calls Kawhi Leonard the “best player in the league”

“Kawhi, especially as of late, is probably the best player in this league. He gets his spots whenever he wants… He never feels rushed or sped up at all.” pic.twitter.com/cpxRg2ggPM

— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 23, 2026

Leonard consistently controlled the tempo, scoring from his preferred midrange spots and attacking mismatches without appearing hurried. Despite Orlando’s late-game adjustments, the two-time Finals MVP repeatedly created separation and forced defensive rotations.

Clippers fall short despite Kawhi Leonard’s 37-point performance vs. Magic

As Carter noted, the Magic shifted their strategy in the closing moments, attempting to get the ball out of Leonard’s hands. On the Clippers’ final possession, Leonard passed to Bennedict Mathurin for a potential game-winning 3-pointer. The shot hit the rim and fell away, sealing Los Angeles’ second consecutive loss and dropping the Clippers to 27-30.

Mathurin contributed 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists off the bench. He shot 7-for-16 from the field, 1-for-5 from beyond the arc and 6-for-7 from the free-throw line in 30 minutes.

For Leonard, the performance continued what has been one of the most productive scoring seasons of his career. In his sixth season with the Los Angeles Clippers, the 34-year-old is averaging 28 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and two steals per game across 44 appearances. He is shooting 49.4% from the field, 38.1% from 3-point range and a career-high 90.5% from the free-throw line while logging 32.8 minutes per contest.

Orlando improved to 30-26 with the narrow victory, concluding the second night of a back-to-back on a four-game Western Conference road trip. Carter finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes, helping anchor the interior while the Magic weathered Leonard’s scoring bursts.

The Clippers will look to bounce back Thursday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves (35-25) at 7:00 p.m. PT on Prime Video as part of a three-game homestand.

The Orlando Magic continue their road trip Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers (34-22) at 7:30 p.m. PT, carrying momentum after withstanding Leonard’s 37-point outing.

The post Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard earns ‘best player in league’ tag from Magic player who just saw dominance up close appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Bane finished with 36 points, five rebounds, two steals and one assist while shooting 13-for-19 from the field, 4-for-6 from 3-point range and 6-for-10 from the free-throw line in 32 minutes. He posted a team-high plus-12 rating as the Magic improved to 30-26 on the season.

After the game, Bane reflected on the emotional toll of the previous night’s 113-110 loss in Phoenix, which ended on a buzzer-beater.

“I think it’s huge. Last night was emotional. Double overtime game, losing the buzzer. I was telling some of the guys, like I remember last year in Memphis, we lost three games in a row like that. It kind of felt like that was like the backbreaker of our season just because you’re so emotional and you’re right there, but you come out with us. So I’m really proud of our group. That we did it the way we wanted to do it too. We’re posing on the sit down and guard, so it was good to see.”

Desmond Bane on the #Magic’s bounce-back win over the #Clippers:

“Last night was emotional… it felt like a backbreaker… I’m really proud of our group that we did it the way we wanted to do it.” pic.twitter.com/Zj1MYkG4PO

— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 23, 2026

Grizzlies lessons shape Desmond Bane’s impact with Magic

Bane’s comments referenced a stretch with Memphis last season in which consecutive close losses stalled the Grizzlies’ momentum. Rather than allow history to repeat itself, he emphasized poise and defensive discipline against Los Angeles, helping the Magic avoid what he described as a potential emotional letdown.

The 27-year-old guard also addressed his growth during his first season with the Orlando Magic, noting the adjustment period that followed his arrival.

“Yeah, I just think it’s chemistry. I mean I was a new piece being added to the team. We got Anthony Black, who stepped up and playing a different type of role this year. So I think everything just kind of takes time. I feel like I’m in a good spot, trusting my work [and] just playing hard.”

Bane is averaging 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and one steal per game across 56 appearances while shooting 48.3% from the field, 38.8% from beyond the arc and a career-high 91.3% from the free-throw line in 34 minutes per contest.

Wendell Carter Jr. says Bane is ‘exactly what we need’

Teammate Wendell Carter Jr., who recorded 15 points, 14 rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes against the Clippers, praised Bane’s consistency and approach.

“He reminds me of a lot of other guys in this league, guys who have established themselves and have a mindset of he’s gonna play his game no matter what, his process is gonna remain the same. Early on, he was struggling a little bit but one thing about it, he stuck to what he knows he’s good at. And now we’re seeing the benefits of what trading for a guy like that does. So it’s his continued elevation. It shows he’s one of the best in his league in terms of his position, shooting [the] three ball, getting out here to facilitate the playmaking. Like, he’s exactly what we need. So he’s one of those guys, ever since that Portland game, that’s kind of when the trend in the needle just starting to go up and he’s continuing to climb.”

#Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. on Desmond Bane’s impact:

“We’re seeing the benefits of what trading for a guy like that does… He’s exactly what we need.”

Calls him “one of the best in the league at his position.” pic.twitter.com/mjICKCa7US

— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 23, 2026

Since the Magic’s 110-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 23, Bane has elevated his production to 21.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51.8% from the field, 41.9% from 3-point range and 90.4% from the line in 34.4 minutes. Those numbers place him in the 50-40-90 range over that stretch.

Orlando will conclude its four-game road trip Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers (34-22) at 10:30 p.m. ET. With momentum regained following a narrow loss, Bane’s experience and recent surge continue to shape the Magic’s push through the second half of the season.

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Kawhi Leonard left Friday night’s game with 5:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. He went back to the Clippers locker room and the team quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

He was labeled as “Questionable” for Sunday night’s game against the Orlando Magic due to left ankle soreness.

John Collins went up for an alley-oop attempt late in the first half, but was unintentionally undercut by Jaxson Hayes and suffered a head injury with 18.6 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

He was ruled “Out” for Sunday’s game due to a neck soreness and a head laceration.

On Sunday, Kawhi Leonard went through his regular warm-up routine and was upgraded to “Available” against the Magic. Additionally, head coach Tyronn Lue said that forward John Collins was not diagnosed with a concussion, but is dealing with the affects of the laceration that required stitches above his eye.

Kawhi Leonard WILL play tonight vs. the Magic.

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 23, 2026

Kobe Sanders will be starting in place of Collins, and it is assumed that Leonard will be on some form of minutes restriction coming off of the back-to-back set and the ankle injury.

In 43 games this season, Kawhi Leonard has put up 27.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game for the Clippers, who have a 23-20 record with Leonard in the lineup and 2-9 record when he doesn’t play.

John Collins has played 53 games this season for the Clippers, averaging 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assist for the Clippers while shooting 56.5 percent from the field and 42.7 percent from three.

The post Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, John Collins get injury updates vs. Magic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Suggs was ruled out prior to Saturday’s 113-110 double-overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns. The 24-year-old guard last appeared in the Magic’s 131-94 win over the Sacramento Kings coming out of the All-Star break and to begin their four-game road trip. In that contest, Suggs recorded nine points, three rebounds, three assists and one block while shooting 3-for-8 from the field and 3-for-7 from 3-point range in 20 minutes.

On the season, Suggs is averaging 13.9 points, 5.4 assists, four rebounds and a career-high 1.9 steals per game across 34 appearances. The former All-Defensive Second Team selection is shooting 44.2% from the field and 32.8% from beyond the arc while playing 26.5 minutes per contest.

The Magic’s injury report also continues to list Franz Wagner as out with a left ankle high ankle sprain under injury management. The team has indicated Wagner will be reevaluated in three weeks.

Magic, Clippers navigate key injuries ahead of matchup

Orlando enters Sunday’s contest looking to respond after its narrow defeat in Phoenix, where the Magic pushed the Suns to double overtime despite missing key contributors.

The Clippers are also managing injuries. John Collins is listed as out with a head laceration and neck soreness. Kawhi Leonard is questionable with left ankle soreness following Friday’s 125-122 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Additionally, Darius Garland — acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers at the trade deadline in exchange for James Harden — remains out with left toe injury management as he continues to recover from a surgically repaired toe injury.

With both teams managing key absences, availability could prove pivotal as the Magic attempt to build on their 29-26 start while continuing their road trip.

The post Is Jalen Suggs playing tonight? Magic vs. Clippers injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Despite his struggles, he remained aggressive, attacking the paint and creating opportunities until the very end. When the score was tied at 110, Green caught a pass from Royce O’Neale and sank a fadeaway three-pointer at the buzzer to clinch the win. After the game, Green joked about his mindset during that final play, saying, “At that point, it’s double OT; we just want to go home.”

The bizarre nature of the game caught the attention of notable NBA analyst Bill Simmons. He took to X to comment that “Suns-Magic was indescribable. Like the NBA Rockfight Finals. Jalen Green could not have been worse (6-26 FG!!!!) and then, of course, makes a fall-away buzzer beater in double OT to win it. Rivetingly weird game.” Simmons’ “indescribable” description perfectly captured the duality of Green’s night, with a game marked by offensive struggles, culminating in the most crucial shot of the evening finding the net.

This clutch moment marks a significant milestone in Green’s season, which has been largely affected by a hamstring injury that sidelined him for 41 of the team’s first 43 games. Since returning in late January, the Suns have viewed him as a mid-season spark, akin to a trade deadline acquisition.

While his rhythm has been inconsistent, head coach Jordan Ott defended his star’s performance, calling him an “incredible shot maker” and emphasizing how challenging it can be to hit a game-winner after struggling for four quarters. With this victory, which snapped a two-game losing streak, Phoenix is counting on Green’s ability to provide high-level scoring as they push for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

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Banchero finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and four blocks in 47 minutes. He shot 11-for-28 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line while helping Orlando push the game into two extra periods.

After the final shot, Banchero described his vantage point on the decisive play.

“I wasn’t on the ball so I was focused on guarding the inbounder. I didn’t really see too much, just turned my head and the ball was in the air.”

While the game ended on Green’s shot, Banchero pointed to circumstances that developed long before the final possession. Orlando lost Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. to foul trouble, while Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs were unavailable due to injury. Suggs was ruled out shortly before Saturday’s contest.

“I mean not ideal, but [I] thought we played hard, I just didn’t think we made enough plays down the stretch they made – a couple more than we did and yeah, definitely stings a little bit. Just [a] tough game.”

Turnovers, offensive rebounds tilt game toward Suns

Bane delivered one of his strongest performances of the season before fouling out, finishing with 34 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. He shot 12-for-18 from the field, 5-for-9 from 3-point range and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line in 40 minutes. Carter added seven points, 11 rebounds and an assist while shooting 2-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from the line in 34 minutes.

Beyond foul trouble, Banchero emphasized Orlando’s ball security and inability to control the glass.

“Definitely hurt us. We knew coming in that they were a big second chance points team and that they crashed the glass pretty hard. They did a pretty good job of that, you know, got themselves a lot of extra possessions, a lot of dagger threes off offensive rebounds, so [it] definitely hurt us.”

The Magic committed 16 turnovers, including six from Banchero, which led to 22 Phoenix points. Orlando also surrendered 22 offensive rebounds and allowed 23 second-chance points, with the Suns going 8-for-23 on those extended possessions.

Little details loom large in Magic defeat, Jamahl Mosley says

Coach Jamahl Mosley echoed Banchero’s assessment, noting the cumulative effect of lost possessions.

“We gave ourselves a chance. That happens within a game – guys are going to foul out, there’s going to be foul trouble. There are going to be injuries throughout the season. You’ve got to give Phoenix a ton of credit, but it was a back-and-forth battle. But in a game like this, it is about the little things and the little details. We can’t turn it over 16 times for 22 points as well as give up 22 offensive rebounds. Those are possessions you can’t get back. But our guys fought till the end, minus bodies, obviously the situation. But we’ve got to make sure we continue to do the little things. And the great part about the league is that you’ve got to turn around and do it again tomorrow.”

Mosley also credited Green for the decisive shot.

“He had a helluva shot. I think got some separation on that baseline, maybe he got pushed off his route, he did a helluva job to come back and contest it, but Jalen Green hit a helluva shot. You got to give him credit for that one.”

Paolo Banchero shifts focus to Clippers after 2OT loss

The Orlando Magic now shift focus to the second night of their four-game road trip, visiting the Los Angeles Clippers (27-29) on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Banchero said many of the lessons from Saturday’s loss will carry into the matchup.

“Yeah, the Clippers [are] a good team, they made some trades. They look a little different, but I think it’s going to be a lot of emphasis on a lot of the same stuff that killed us tonight, hitting the glass, they crash pretty hard, defending. Yeah, just gotta be ready for the challenge, they’re a good team, good guys over there so yeah, gotta turn it around quickly.”

Los Angeles has rebounded from a 6-21 start to the season despite a Friday night loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Clippers reshaped their roster at the trade deadline, moving James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and sending Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and a second-round selection.

For Orlando, the margin for error remains thin. As Banchero outlined, foul trouble, turnovers and second-chance points proved decisive in a game decided by a single possession.

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Jalen Suggs injury status vs. Suns

Suggs has already missed 20 of the Magic’s first 54 games this season and is in danger of missing another. The 24-year-old has not missed a game since Jan. 22, but he is listed as questionable against the Suns while dealing with back spasms.

Suggs has frequently been listed on Orlando’s injury reports as a precaution since returning to the court. Back spasms are often minor, suggesting he will be on the court on Saturday afternoon.

The Magic are already shorthanded after Franz Wagner suffered a setback in his injury recovery, which has forced Anthony Black into the starting lineup. Losing Suggs would leave Jamahl Mosley without his best on-ball defender, likely giving the surging Jevon Carter a spot start.

It would not be surprising to see Suggs take another seat, considering he has already missed nearly half of the season, and the Magic have been hit hard by the injury bug. But given the nature of his injury and Orlando’s current situation, expect him to play.

Grayson Allen injury status vs. Magic

Unlike Suggs, Allen has not played in over two weeks. His last game came against the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 5, when he landed awkwardly on his leg late in the game. Allen avoided a major injury, but he has unsurprisingly been out of commission since.

Allen has remained out even after the All-Star break, missing the Suns’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. The team initially reported it would re-evaluate Allen after the break, but nothing seems to have changed.

However, his being listed as questionable is a step in the right direction, suggesting a return could be imminent. If he is able to return against the Magic, it would be a near-miracle that the scary injury only cost him four games.

With Devin Booker also out, Phoenix has been forced to operate without its starting backcourt, leading Jordan Ott to turn to Jalen Green, who is coming off a 26-point game against the Spurs. Green has been starting with Collin Gillespie, which will likely be the backcourt tandem on Saturday against the Magic, barring a miraculous return from Allen.

Magic injury report

Colin Castleton — OUT, G League

Alex Morales — OUT, G League

Jalen Suggs — Questionable, Back spasms

Franz Wagner — OUT, Left high ankle sprain injury management

Suns injury report

Grayson Allen — Questionable, Right ankle sprain

Cole Anthony — OUT, Not with team

Devin Booker — OUT, Right hip strain

Haywood Highsmith — OUT, Right knee injury management

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Orlando drained 27 3-pointers in the win, setting a new franchise mark. Carter, playing in just his second game since signing with the team following the trade deadline more than two weeks ago, delivered his best performance in a Magic uniform. The 30-year-old finished with 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal in 23 minutes off the bench. He shot 5-for-8 from the field, 3-for-5 from 3-point range and added a free throw, posting a team-high plus-34 rating.

Carter joined Orlando after being waived by the Chicago Bulls at the start of February. The Magic quickly moved to add the veteran guard, valuing his defensive intensity and experience.

Mosley said Carter’s impact was immediate.

“He’s about the right things. He’s about winning, he’s about team, he’s about playing the right way and you saw as soon as he stepped on the court, it was pick up full court, talking in the huddles, getting guys in the right spots, stepping in with confidence to a shot,” Mosley said.

“But again, he’s about all the right things. He’s about winning, he’s about toughness. He fits exactly what we do here with the Magic – hard nose defense, creating your offense on the other end.”

Paolo Banchero highlights Jevon Carter’s energy in Magic’s historic win

Star forward Paolo Banchero, who led Orlando with 30 points, six assists, five rebounds, a steal and a block, echoed that sentiment. Banchero shot 10-for-21 from the field, 5-for-7 from beyond the arc and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line in 32 minutes.

“Just his energy – his energy, his voice, obviously his play, he’s active on defense, shot maker on offense, he tries to make the right play as a point guard,” Banchero said. “I think he really fits into just kind of what we do… him being a guy that’s been in the league [for] a little minute he has a great perspective and just encouraging him to continue to use his voice out there.”

Carter credited unselfish play for the team’s historic shooting night.

“Just getting downhill, being unselfish, getting off of it, being aggressive, you know what I’m saying, just taking the shots that was there [and] not really thinking about it, passing them up. And just playing together,” Carter said.

He described the outing as a product of preparation and work.

“It was fun, I pride myself on hard work, you know, hard work always pays off. That’s a motto I live by. You know it was definitely a lot of fun being out there with the guys, really, really getting back into the swing of things.”

With the win, Orlando improved to 29-25, moving within a half-game of the Philadelphia 76ers (30-25) for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic continue their West Coast road trip Saturday against the Phoenix Suns (32-24) at 5:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV, with Carter’s early impact adding another layer of depth as the playoff race intensifies.

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Orlando connected on 27 of its 50 attempts from beyond the arc, showcasing ball movement, spacing and confidence throughout the night. Leading the charge was Paolo Banchero, who imposed his will early and finished with 30 points, six assists, five rebounds, a steal and a block in 32 minutes. He shot 10-for-21 from the field, 5-for-7 from 3-point range and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.

After the game, Banchero pointed to execution and trust as keys to the record-setting performance.

“Yeah, just a good, good way to start this back half of the season coming off the break setting a three point record,” Banchero said. “That’s a great sign and yeah, I think we just did a good job of like I said, finding the advantage and then playing from there and finding the open man.”

He credited the team’s decisiveness from long range.

“I think we just did a good job of making the defense have to react to what we were doing and then that leading to a guy being open, finding that guy, and then whoever that was – stepping into their shot and knocking it down with confidence,” Banchero said. “I thought guys didn’t hesitate from three today. When they’re open, guys let it fly including myself, you know, just being confident in the shot, living with the results and today they were falling at a high level.”

Paolo Banchero’s aggression, defense fuel franchise 3-point night vs. Kings

Banchero also emphasized his mindset entering the contest.

“Just trying to come out, impose my will, be aggressive,” he said. “Like you said, a lot of important games coming up so I think everybody on the team understands that just coming out, doing whatever we gotta do to win these games.”

Head coach Jamahl Mosley connected the offensive explosion to defensive intensity.

“I really think it was our defense creating some early, easy offensive looks,” Mosley said. “We were able to get downhill, attack the basket, and then we’re able to get the spray outs for feet set threes. I thought our guys did a great job of sharing it, moving it, trusting the pass and just trusting their teammates.”

Mosley credited preparation and spacing for the franchise milestone.

“I thought it was great,” he said. “I think the guys did a great job at practice yesterday, understanding the shots we were going to get versus this team. Our coaches did a great job of getting these guys set up in the right situations, the right spaces, and guys were confident and comfortable setting their feet down and being ready to knock down shots.”

Magic defense extends steals streak as West Coast trip continues

He also praised Banchero’s assertiveness.

“I love how he got settled into the game, started off being very aggressive early, getting downhill, attacking the basket when he’s open, stepping into a shot, finding guys knowing how they were guarding him,” Mosley said. “I thought he did a great job of finding teammates, but just overall our team I think we just did a very good job of trusting our defense to lead to our offense, and that was why the ball was hopping the way it was.”

The defensive pressure was evident in the box score. The Magic recorded 13 steals in Sacramento. The team’s PR account shared that it marked the fifth consecutive game Orlando registered at least 10 steals, tying for the third-longest such streak in franchise history. The longest streak of games with 10 or more steals is seven, set from Jan. 29 to Feb. 18, 1994.

The activity on that end helped fuel transition opportunities and early offense, reinforcing Mosley’s emphasis on defense generating rhythm and confidence.

With the win, Orlando improved to 29-25, moving within a half-game of the Philadelphia 76ers (30-25) for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic continue their West Coast trip Saturday against the Phoenix Suns (32-24) at 5:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV.

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The Magic rained three-pointers on the Kings, draining 27 in total to set a new franchise record for a single game.

Orlando broke the old team record with 2:33 left in the fourth quarter courtesy of Jett Howard. For good measure, he added another three-pointer with 33 seconds remaining.

Jett Howards' trey sets a franchise-record 26 threes in a single game for the Magic pic.twitter.com/uXY5kdLEsR

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 20, 2026

Paolo Banchero shot 5-of-7 from long distance, finishing with a game-high 30 points. He also had five rebounds and six assists.

Howard, Anthony Black, and Tristan da Silva had four three-pointers each, while Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs, and Devon Carter had three makes apiece. Mo Wagner added one three-pointer.

Overall, the Magic went 27-of-50 from beyond the arc.

It could simply be an aberration, as Orlando is averaging only 11.5 three-pointers this season, while shooting at a 34.2% clip, tied with three other teams for the league-worst percentage.

They were just three three-pointers shy of breaking the league record of 29 long bombs set by the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks in 2024 and the Milwaukee Bucks versus the Miami Heat in 2020.

The Magic was also part of another team record—sort of—as they handed the Kings their 15th straight defeat, the longest in franchise history.

Black collected 20 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Bane added 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Orlando improved to 29-25, while Sacramento fell to 12-45.

The Magic will look to continue their impressive shooting from deep against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.

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Orlando (28-25) opens a four-game road trip Thursday night against the Sacramento Kings (12-44) at 10:00 p.m. ET. After several days away from game action, star forward Paolo Banchero said the team’s priority is bringing back its edge — and its confidence.

“It’s vital, it’s super important,” Banchero said at Thursday’s practice. “Our energy gotta be right, our swag gotta be right, and we just gotta be ready to come out and ball so I’m excited.”

The Magic enter the final stretch of the regular season looking to solidify their postseason position. With 29 games remaining, Banchero emphasized the importance of the upcoming trip.

“Definitely put together some great games here on this road trip, get some wins, and just get ready for this push… gotta win some games, gotta put ourselves in good position for the postseason, so it’s a big stretch right here that we’re about to go down.”

Paolo Banchero, Jamahl Mosley stress identity and focus as Magic begin second-half reset

Beyond wins and losses, Banchero pointed to identity and cohesion as defining factors for the second half.

“Just playing together, you know, figuring out how we want to play [and] what type of team we want to be and yeah, just taking it one game at a time with a singular focus and just doing whatever we gotta do to win games,” he said. “I think that’s the main point is whatever it is, we gotta win so guys gotta be ready to step up to the challenge.”

Banchero added that the break provided an opportunity to mentally recharge.

“Oh yeah, for sure just getting after it, training, conditioning and then you know just taking the time to relax and enjoy the sun, the beach and stuff like that – some peace and quiet was nice so definitely took the time to just mentally reset but at the same time preparing for this back half of the season, it’s a huge part of the season right here so just gotta be ready to go.”

Head coach Jamahl Mosley echoed that sentiment, describing the break as a “full reset” while stressing that attention to detail must remain consistent.

“One game at a time and I think with Sacramento it’s just understanding what this building is and how they play and their freedom to play and how they attack the basket, getting downhill, one on one basketball, but they’ve got guys that can really flat out score,” Mosley said. “And so we’ve got to make sure we’re tying into our defense, understanding our gameplan, and focusing on that side of the ball more than anything.”

Moritz Wagner emphasizes daily standard entering final stretch

Mosley said practice intensity reflected renewed focus.

“Just beginning a full reset,” he said. “I think the ability to get away from the game for a while and understand how much you appreciate it, what you’re able to get to do versus what you have to do, and these guys came back with that joy and that focus today in practice.”

He emphasized that the team’s standard cannot fluctuate.

“Just constantly putting in the work,” Mosley said. “Our everyday work ethic has got to be on point… Our standard has to be set night in and night out. But again, every game is going to be different, but the way we play shouldn’t adjust.”

Center Moritz Wagner reinforced the importance of staying present.

“Well we got 29 games left, day by day,” Wagner said. “Don’t look ahead too far, stay kind of in our little bubble and just to try to grind out some enough wins to make the playoffs.”

As the road trip begins, the Magic are aiming to pair renewed energy with disciplined execution — and bring their “swag” back with them.

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With a road matchup against the Sacramento Kings (12-44) scheduled for Thursday night at 10:00 p.m. ET, Orlando (28-25) will move forward without star forward Franz Wagner, who has been ruled out indefinitely as he continues to recover from soreness related to a left high ankle sprain.

Speaking at Thursday’s practice, Paolo Banchero emphasized patience as Wagner works toward a full recovery.

“I mean he’s one of our key pieces of our team and you know we need him out there but at the same time we don’t want him coming back before he’s ready and so it’s unfortunate,” Banchero said.

“You know, he’s kinda came back twice and been out and then had to be out again so just want him to take his time – however long that is and get all the way healthy because we don’t want him out there if he’s not feeling like himself. So, I think that’s the biggest thing is just let him take his time to get healthy.”

Paolo Banchero, Jamahl Mosley highlight Franz Wagner’s value beyond the box score

Wagner, 24, is in his fifth NBA season and remains a central figure in Orlando’s offense. Across 28 games, he is averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 47.9% from the field and 36.5% from 3-point range in 31.8 minutes per game.

Head coach Jamahl Mosley underscored Wagner’s value beyond the box score, pointing to his work ethic and leadership within the locker room.

“I mean there aren’t words that describe what Franz means to this team, his toughness, his resilience, his desire and want to get back on to the court,” Mosley said.

“Every person on this team knows his work ethic and his care factor for this group. There aren’t many words that can describe it for this group, but also for him. I talked to him last night and his ability to want to just be on the floor and that’s what is the hardest, but also understanding that he knows how capable this group is of achieving the things that we say we want to do even with him being out for this time.”

Magic’s Moritz Wagner opens up on brother Franz’s emotional battle

Wagner’s absence also carries a personal dimension for teammate and brother Moritz Wagner.

“I mean first of all it sucks because he’s my brother and you have a pretty high level relationship and he’s obviously not happy with it and he’s struggling emotionally and all that stuff, so everything that comes with it,” Moritz said.

“You hate to see that for a family member. Obviously for us as players, big too because he has such a big impact on the game but primarily I care more about the person and I feel very bad for him.”

Moritz added that recovery extends beyond physical rehabilitation.

“I think my biggest advice is and what I’ve learned is that it only heals if you’re emotionally free and peaceful and relaxed,” he said.

“You can’t fight it everyday so having a time frame in which you’re doing your rehab rather than a day by day structure is much more peaceful for the mind and much more efficient for the body to heal, and I think he’s been embracing that for the last couple of days and we’ll see in three weeks. But kind of having that time to relax [the] mind and let the body do it’s work and then be ready when you’re ready.”

As Orlando begins the final stretch of the regular season, the organization has made clear its priority is ensuring Wagner returns at full strength rather than rushing him back before he is ready.

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One of the big culprits for the Magic’s decline has been the play of Paolo Banchero, who has regressed in a major way so far this season.

Recently, former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins took to ESPN’s NBA Today to hit Banchero with a harsh label.

“I will go a little further and say Paolo Banchero has been the biggest disappointment player-wise,” said Perkins, per the NBA on ESPN on X, formerly Twitter.

While Banchero still has a ton of natural talent, many fans have grown tired of his poor shot selection, occasional lapses on defense, and overall lack of progression from his rookie year.

This, combined with frequent injury concerns for the Magic, particularly to co-star Franz Wagner, has left Orlando currently sitting in play-in position in the East, which is well below where most pundits projected them to be at this point in the season.

Of course, there is still plenty of time for Orlando to turn things around, and it’s not off the table that Banchero could improve his basketball IQ and decision-making as his career progresses. However, for now, he is just hoping to avoid following the career trajectory of players like Ja Morant, who were also lauded early on in their careers before slowly dwindling into obscurity.

In any case, the Magic will next hit the floor on Thursday evening as they begin a West Coast trip against the Sacramento Kings, in what will be their first game after the All-Star break. Tipoff is set for 10:00 pm ET.

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The team released a statement on Wednesday, stating that Wagner continues to experience soreness in his left ankle and will require additional time after the All-Star break to heal. Wagner will be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks.

This injury first occurred on Dec. 7 against the New York Knicks, and Wagner missed 16 consecutive games. Although he returned to play overseas in his hometown of Berlin on January 15 and again on January 18 in London, England, Wagner then missed nine consecutive games to manage his ankle injury.

In his extended absences, Anthony Black has emerged as a key weapon alongside Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane in Orlando.

Wagner, who has missed 25 of the Magic’s last 29 games as a result of his ankle, has only played in 28 games this season due to a variety of injuries. This has directly resulted in Orlando’s mediocre 28-25 record at the All-Star break.

Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Wagner and Banchero have only played 58 total games together. When both players are on the court, the Magic have gone 29-29 overall.

Wagner is not the only player to have missed significant time this season for the Magic, as Jalen Suggs has missed 20 total games to this point in the season due to a variety of injuries. Recently, Suggs suffered a Grade 1 right MCL injury in his knee, and he missed eight consecutive games.

The good news for Orlando is that Suggs has played in each of the Magic’s last seven games before the All-Star break. At the same time, the Magic have yet to be fully whole this season and have Wagner, Banchero, Suggs, and Bane all on the court with one another for consecutive games.

In his 28 games this season, Wagner has averaged 21.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the floor.

The post Magic’s Franz Wagner dealt ‘indefinite’ ankle injury setback after recent return appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Richardson tried to catch the ball off the backboard, but too many things ended up happening at once, and he landed right on his back. He stayed on the floor just a few seconds and then elected to take a safer dunk. He was not able to advance to the next round, and it left many people wondering what dunk he was trying to pull off.

Luckily for those people, Richardson had footage of him practicing the dunk and landing it. He posted it on his Instagram to show the world what was really supposed to happen.

Jase Richardson posted on Instagram what his failed dunk attempt was supposed to look like

(h/t @therealBeede) pic.twitter.com/U7wDY5oKhE

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 15, 2026

For his height, it would have been nice, and there’s a good chance that the judges would have given him a good score as well. Nonetheless, we’re stuck with the “what if” moment of the dunk, and it’s not certain if he’ll be able to redeem himself next year for the dunk contest.

In the end, Keshan Johnson of the Miami Heat won the dunk contest, and he, without a doubt, had fun during the experience.

As for Richardson, he may have felt bad for how things went, but he’s not the first person to mess up during the dunk contest. All he can do is take it on the chin and keep pushing.

The post Magic’s Jase Richardson shows what epic Slam Dunk Contest fail was really supposed to look like appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While attempting his second dunk of the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Richardson suffered a terrifying fall that saw him hit the back of his head on the hardwood. Despite the scary optics, the young guard quickly took to social media to reveal he has been “crying laughing” at the replay.

I’ve been crying laughing for the past hour https://t.co/3rxhHUFFNu

— Jase Richardson (@JaseRich4) February 15, 2026

Richardson also posted an Instagram Story and said his “arm got caught on the backboard,” along with crying laughing emojis.

Richardson, the son of two-time dunk champion Jason Richardson, entered the night looking to keep the family legacy alive. He opened the contest with a solid 45.4 after flushing a clean reverse slam on a bounce-oop to himself.

However, he needed a huge score on his second attempt to keep pace with Keshad Johnson and Carter Bryant. Richardson opted for a 360 tomahawk off the side of the backboard, but he misjudged the angle, getting stuffed by the board before crashing hard to the floor.

After a few tense moments, the former Michigan State star was able to get up under his own power. He even finished the round with a safe 360 slam to register a score, though his 43.4 on the attempt effectively ended his night. Richardson finished last in the field of four with a total score of 88.8, trailing Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers.

While the Magic guard won’t be adding a trophy to the mantle alongside his father’s, his ability to find the humor in the “backboard block” has already won over social media. With Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson eventually taking home the crown, Richardson is just happy to be healthy and heading back to Orlando with a story to tell.

The post Why Magic’s Jase Richardson can’t stop ‘crying laughing’ after Dunk Contest fail appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Richardson, who is 20 years old, ran along the baseline to attempt his dunk. However, the ball got caught on the backboard, which led to Richardson falling and landing right on his back. Luckily, it didn’t appear he had suffered any concerning injury, and he was able to get back on his feet after about three seconds.

Jase Richardson Scary fall during slam dunk contest
pic.twitter.com/3aqWDBqAyS

— HoopVillain (@HoopVillain_) February 15, 2026

Richardson was one of the first contestants eliminated from the Dunk Contest. Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers was the other contestant who was eliminated early. The Magic rookie at least got to showcase some of his athleticism on Saturday, even if he didn’t win the Dunk Contest.

After being picked No. 25 overall by Orlando, Jase Richardson has had a decent first year in the NBA so far. He plays a reserve role for the club, averaging 12.1 minutes per game. Through 39 appearances off the bench, Richardson is averaging 5.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He’s also shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the three-point line.

The Dunk Contest was the only event Richardson was competing in during NBA All-Star Weekend. He’ll now enjoy the remainder of the break before the Magic get back in action on Thursday, February 19, giving him about five days’ rest. Orlando will be taking on the Sacramento Kings in that contest.

The post Magic guard Jase Richardson gets laid out on scary botched Dunk Contest attempt appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After missing the last nine games with a left high ankle sprain, Wagner made his presence known in a major way, matching his brother Mo with 14 points in just 17 minutes while shooting 6-of-010 from the field, and .500 from beyond the arc.

Discussing his return to the court for the Magic and how the team was able to weather some early struggles to pull out a commanding win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Wagner noted that his team really came together on the defensive side of the court and was able to parlay that to a clean victory.

“Yeah, I thought we were a little bit crisper on the defensive side, and we’re finally able to make some shots,” Wagner noted. “I think, I thought we got a lot of good looks on the front side that just didn’t go in. So, I thought overall, pretty consistent game for us.”

Asked how high the Magic’s ceiling can be now that they’re starting to get healthy at the right time, Wagner noted he still has limitless faith in his team and knows they can make waves moving forward.

“I think the sky’s the limit. Obviously, the season hasn’t gone, you know, the way we envisioned before,” Wagner said. “So, no, we need everyone we can get. We already dropped too many. So, no, I think that’s got to be our mindset going forward.”

When the Magic traded a king’s ransom to bring Desmond Bane over from the Memphis Grizzlies, fans openly wondered if the Eastern Conference had a new powerhouse that could top the standings for the foreseeable future. While that hasn’t happened just yet, if Wagner continues to average nearly a point a minute, good things should continue to come for his team.

"Felt good to be out there again."

Franz Wagner discusses his return action after he helped the Magic win their 4th game in a row. pic.twitter.com/XDabaAgtdD

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) February 10, 2026

The post Franz Wagner reveals ‘sky’s the limit’ mindset after Magic return appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The crowd was ready for it, and the moment the public address announcer called his name to check in for the first time, the arena erupted in a standing ovation that made one thing clear: Orlando missed its “Only Franz.”

Franz Wagner checks in to a warm welcome from the Magic fans

(via @OrlandoMagic)
pic.twitter.com/gOMa3AezDr

— Magic Nation (@MagicNationCP) February 10, 2026

Wagner had been sidelined for the last nine games and 25 of the previous 27 contests because of a nagging high ankle sprain. While he made a brief appearance during the team’s international trip in mid-January, he clearly was not himself and had to be shut back down.

His return on Monday marked the first time the Orlando Magic had their preferred starting unit fully available in over 400 days. Coach Jamahl Mosley is keeping Wagner on a strict minutes restriction tonight to ensure a safe transition, but his presence alone has completely changed the team’s spacing and energy.

As the game moves through the second half, the Magic are firmly in control. Franz Wagner has already made his impact felt in a limited run, tallying 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists.

His ability to drive and kick has opened up massive lanes for Desmond Bane, who is putting on an absolute clinic. Bane is currently leading the way with a dominant 20 points and two rebounds as Orlando holds an 87-74 lead late in the third quarter.

The Milwaukee Bucks are struggling to find an answer without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is currently out with a calf strain. For Orlando, the lead is great, but seeing Wagner back on the hardwood is the real win. If they can close this out, they will extend their winning streak to four and head toward the All-Star break with a massive boost of confidence.

The post Watch Franz Wagner get a warm welcome from Orlando fans appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Here’s everything we know about Franz Wagner’s injury and his playing status vs. the Bucks.

Franz Wagner injury status vs. the Bucks 

Wagner has missed the last nine games with a left ankle injury, but he is slated to make his return on Monday night, according to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel.

Wagner spoke briefly about his issue after the aforementioned win over the Jazz on Saturday, where he said that the hope is to come back playing for Orlando before the All-Star break.

“That’s my hope for sure [to be back before All-Star Break],” Wagner said, according to Orlando Magic Daily. “I think I had two good workouts today and the other gameday. Really just seeing how my foot responds to that.”

Now, he will get to play a few games before the break to get back into the swing of things.

The 24-year-old forward has played in 26 games this season as he’s averaging 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 48.2% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. If Wagner wants to beat his timeline of being back before the break, he has two games left, including Monday night, with the other contest on Wednesday, once again against the Bucks.

Magic injury report

Castleton, Colin Out G League – Two-Way

Wagner, Franz Available Injury/Illness – Left High Ankle; Sprain management

Bucks injury report

Antetokounmpo, Alex Out G League – Two-Way

Antetokounmpo, Giannis Out Injury/Illness – Right Calf; Strain

Prince, Taurean Out Injury/Illness – Neck; Surgery

The post Magic star Franz Wagner set to return from ankle injury vs. Bucks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With the NBA announcing the full slate of dunk contest competitors for next Saturday’s event at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Richardson reshared the Magic’s post on X, formerly known as Twitter, and added a brief caption:

“i guess,” followed by a laughing emoji and a shrug.

The reaction stood out as the league continues to generate buzz around the Slam Dunk Contest ahead of All-Star Weekend. Richardson is set to compete alongside Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, San Antonio Spurs rookie forward Carter Bryant and Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson. The contest will take place Saturday night as part of the NBA’s All-Star festivities.

i guess https://t.co/uDkgJZl0M6

— Jase Richardson (@JaseRich4) February 7, 2026

Richardson, 20, was selected by Orlando with the 25th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and has carved out a rotational role during his first professional season. Through 36 games, he is averaging 5.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from three-point range in 12.0 minutes per contest.

Jase Richardson’s Dunk Contest nod adds spotlight as Magic push toward All-Star break

While Richardson has flashed athleticism in game action, his understated reaction contrasted with the excitement typically associated with a Dunk Contest selection. The 2026 field will follow last year’s event, which drew significant attention after Chicago Bulls guard Mac McClung captured his third consecutive Slam Dunk Contest title, becoming the first player in NBA history to accomplish the feat.

Orlando enters the final stretch before All-Star Weekend focused on maintaining momentum. The Magic sit at 26-24 and will look to close out their current four-game homestand on a strong note. Orlando hosts the Utah Jazz on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET, coming off a 118-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

Richardson’s dunk contest appearance will add another spotlight moment to his rookie campaign as the league gathers in Los Angeles for All-Star Weekend.

The post Magic rookie Jase Richardson drops not-so-enthusiastic reaction to Dunk Contest nod appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend draws closer to next week’s festivities, which run from Friday, Feb. 13 through Sunday night at Intuit Dome, the league revealed the players set to compete in this year’s Slam Dunk Contest. The event will take place Saturday night at 5 p.m. ET at the Los Angeles Clippers’ new arena in Inglewood, California.

The NBA PR account shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday that Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, San Antonio Spurs rookie forward Carter Bryant, Orlando Magic rookie guard Jase Richardson, and Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson will participate in the contest.

Hayes enters the contest as one of the league’s most physically gifted finishers. The veteran center is known for his leaping ability and power above the rim, traits that have consistently shown up in game action throughout his career.

The field is set for AT&T Slam Dunk

A new champion will be crowned, with all four players making their event debuts.

Saturday, Feb. 14 | 5 PM ET
NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/QZ3TN9LrzA

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 7, 2026

Jaxson Hayes, Carter Bryant lead Slam Dunk Contest field in search of new champion

Bryant and Richardson headline the rookie contingent. Bryant, a first-year forward with San Antonio, has flashed athletic upside early in his NBA career, while Richardson has emerged as an explosive guard option for Orlando. Johnson rounds out the field after showcasing his vertical athleticism and creativity with Miami.

The 2026 contest follows a historic performance one year ago, when Chicago Bulls guard Mac McClung captured his third consecutive Slam Dunk Contest title. McClung became the first player in NBA history to win the event three times, further raising expectations for future competitions.

With a new venue, a fresh group of participants, and heightened attention following McClung’s unprecedented three-peat, the NBA will look to continue building momentum around one of All-Star Weekend’s marquee events. The Slam Dunk Contest will be part of a packed Saturday night schedule as the league celebrates its annual midseason showcase in Los Angeles.

The post Jaxson Hayes, Carter Bryant among players set to participate in NBA Slam Dunk Contest appeared first on ClutchPoints.

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)*

Keyonte George injury status vs. Magic

Given that Keyonte George is probable on the injury report, the assumption is he will be suiting up against the Magic on Saturday. He’s missed the previous three Jazz games, including Thursday’s 121-119 loss to the Hawks. The Jazz went 1-2 throughout their recent three-game stretch.

In a game where George scored a career-high 43 points in a 127-122 win against the Timberwolves, he also suffered a forearm injury, but has bounced back from it before his latest ankle injury forced him to miss three games in a row. The 2025-26 campaign has undoubtedly been George’s best season of his career. 

Averaging 24.2 points on 45.9% shooting, including 37.7% from deep, 6.6 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, George was one of the association’s annual All-Star snubs this season. In only his third year with the Jazz, he’s averaging career-bests in points, assists, steals, and every other statistical category, including his shooting percentages.

He’s also on the cusp of making his return for the Jazz. As for the question is Keyonte George playing tonight against the Magic, the answer is yes.

Jazz injury report

Keyonte George — Probable — Left ankle sprain

Walker Kessler — Out — Left shoulder injury recovery

Kevin Love — Probable — Illness

Magic injury report

Franz Wagner — Out — Left high-ankle sprain; injury management

The post Is Keyonte George playing tonight? Jazz vs. Magic injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, NBA analyst Zach Lowe revisited the idea of Orlando as a team positioned to feel the ripple effects of Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee, while also reviving a trade concept he has floated previously involving Paolo Banchero.

“Can we go back to Orlando. They’re 25 and 24 and some of their losses have been recently, like the funk level hovering over there team is at DEFCON Two level funk at this point and obviously they’re waiting for Franz to come back and crossing their fingers that Franz, who is I think their best player, ties everything together.”

Lowe suggested that Orlando’s direction could be far from settled if the current season does not turn around.

“I think their roster is going to look, there team could look very different next year, coach, roster, everything if they don’t turn this around. I’m trying to think what are the teams that feel like they’ve lost because the Giannis thing got kicked to the summer, and what are the teams that won because the Giannis thing got kicked to the summer. And I want to include Orlando on the latter list because you know that the Paolo and a bunch of stuff for Giannis is one of my favorite fake trades, but the Magic don’t have a bunch of stuff anymore and the bloom is off the rose for Paolo.”

Paolo Banchero remains focal point as Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talk swirls for Magic

The Magic’s asset situation has changed dramatically over the past year. Orlando surrendered four first-round picks in a blockbuster deal to acquire Desmond Bane, a move that strengthened the roster but limited future flexibility. Lowe noted that had Antetokounmpo been formally available at the deadline, those assets could have been deployed differently.

For now, Banchero remains the focal point in Orlando. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 21.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 29.7% from three-point range across 40 games, logging 34.3 minutes per contest. He helped lead the Magic to a 118-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night, improving the team to 26-24 and seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.

Banchero is also tied to Orlando financially for the long term. He is earning approximately $41.5 million this season after signing a five-year, $239 million maximum rookie extension that could rise to $287 million if he earns All-NBA honors. The deal includes a player option for the 2030-31 season, making him one of the league’s most significant long-term commitments.

Giannis remains with Bucks, setting stage for potential summer talks

Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, remained with Milwaukee despite heightened speculation linking him to teams such as the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the deadline. The 31-year-old two-time MVP and former Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting career highs of 64.5% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range across 30 games, playing 29.2 minutes per contest. Despite his production, the Bucks sit at 20-29, 12th in the Eastern Conference.

Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season as part of a three-year, $175.3 million contract that includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. His contract structure and age make any potential offseason move complex but not implausible.

Lowe has acknowledged that the framework involving Banchero and Antetokounmpo is not new, having previously raised the idea earlier in the season. With Milwaukee opting to delay any franchise-altering decisions until the summer, Orlando could find itself among the teams most affected by that timeline.

Whether the Magic ultimately pivot toward a dramatic roster reshaping remains to be seen, but as Lowe noted, Antetokounmpo’s name is unlikely to disappear from offseason trade conversations — and Orlando’s trajectory could be closely tied to how those discussions unfold.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo staying put opens Paolo Banchero-Magic trade opportunity appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Orlando has signed former Chicago Bulls guard Jevon Carter for the remainder of the season, via Shams Charania of ESPN. The financial terms of his deal have not yet been revealed.

Jones struggled during his 48-game run with the Magic. Averaging almost 16 minutes per game, the guard put up three points and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 34 percent from the floor and just under 30 percent from behind the arc. Orlando decided to save some money by including second-round picks in their trade with the Hornets.

Now, Carter will be expected to pick up some of the slack from Jones’ departure. He has appeared in 23 games during the 2025-26 season, averaging 11 minutes a game. Carter has put up 5.4 PPG and 1.1 APG while shooting nearly 40 percent from the floor and 41 percent from behind the arc.

While Carter may not facilitate the offense as much as Jones was expected to, he has been lethal from the three-point line. As it stands, no one on the roster who has played at least 11 games is shooting above 40 percent from behind three. Overall, the Magic rank 28th in the league with their 34.1 percent three-point shooting.

Carter will not turn the Magic into world beaters overnight. But if he sticks to the script, he should improve Orlando’s perimeter shooting. Sitting at 26-24, the franchise needs all the offensive firepower they can get down the stretch.

The post Magic replaces Tyus Jones with recent Bulls guard appeared first on ClutchPoints.

What makes this game from Suggs all the more impressive was the fact that he racked up the first triple-double of his career in just 29 minutes of play. He became just the second player in Magic franchise history to record a triple-double in under 30 minutes, joining Elfrid Payton in that exclusive club, as per StatMuse.

Not too many people expected to hear of Payton’s name tonight, but Magic fans will certainly appreciate how seeing Payton’s name would take them to a trip down memory lane.

But Suggs is an entirely different caliber of player than Payton; he is a much better defender and scorer from the perimeter. The current Magic guard went 6-9 from the field (3-5 from deep) on Thursday and he added three steals and four blocks, fully showcasing how much of a two-way monster he can be when he’s at full strength.

Magic handily take care of business vs. Nets

The Nets aren’t expected to provide tough opposition for the rest of the season, but this is still an important confidence-boosting win for the Magic to get. They were locked in defensively on the night, clamping Michael Porter Jr. and holding him down to just nine points on 2-13 shooting from the field.

Meanwhile, the Magic had five different players score in double figures, with Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero leading the way with 23 and 22 points, respectively.

The post Magic’s Jalen Suggs pulls off ultra-rare feat in win vs. Nets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Suggs is halfway through the fifth year of his NBA career with the Magic. When healthy, the guard shines as one of the premier 3-and-D playmakers in the league. Orlando tends to be at its best whenever he is on the court, elevating hopes for success in the playoffs.

Suggs showed why Orlando has plenty of trust in him after a brilliant highlight in the – half against Brooklyn. The Nets turned the ball over as Suggs took full advantage, getting the ball as he went up in the air and pulled off the 360 turn to complete the emphatic two-handed dunk.

JALEN SUGGS WITH AN EMPHATIC 360 DUNK

Filthy play by the Magic guard!

(via @OrlandoMagic)pic.twitter.com/nFnznMK9Vs

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 6, 2026

How Jalen Suggs, Magic played against Nets

Orlando fans were certainly grateful for the highlight, watching their Magic squad blow out the Nets in a 118-98 rout.

Brooklyn was simply no match for Orlando, immediately trailing after the first quarter. The hosts easily built their lead from there, growing it to as much as 26 points. It was a comfortable night for the home crowd.

Five players scored in double-digits for Orlando in the win, including Suggs. He finished with a stat line of 15 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, four blocks, and three steals. He shot 6-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Desmond Bane led the team with 23 points and four assists, Paolo Banchero came next with 22 points and five rebounds, Anthony Black had 18 points and five assists, while Moritz Wagner provided 14 points and five rebounds.

Orlando improved to a 26-24 record on the season, holding the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are even with the Miami Heat for seventh place while trailing the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers.

The Magic will look forward to their next matchup, remaining at home. They host the Utah Jazz as tip-off will take place on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. ET.

The post Magic’s Jalen Suggs soars for 360 dunk while blowing out Nets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Wednesday night, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Hornets have acquired Jones and two second-round picks from the Orlando Magic for cash considerations. This is nothing more than a salary dump trade for the Magic as they continue to navigate and maneuver around their clogged player payroll, while Charlotte is receiving extra draft assets to make use of the vacant space on their cap sheet.

It’s not quite clear if Jones will stick around for the Hornets, as it’s likely that he won’t be in the rotation for Charlotte since he’ll be behind both LaMelo Ball and White on the depth chart. Tre Mann and Sion James are also more than capable of providing backup guard minutes for the Hornets.

Perhaps the Hornets will give Jones the Conley treatment as well, buying his contract out to give him the freedom to sign with any team he chooses.

The Hornets make brilliant moves prior to trade deadline

White may be an impending free agent, but he’s a much better scorer and ballhandler than Sexton is. He fits this young core as well, and he’s a year younger than the man he’s replacing.

The Hornets also made good use of their cap space, getting assets such as Dieng and a second-round pick for Mason Plumlee, whom the Oklahoma City Thunder waived. They then re-routed Dieng to the Bulls in the White trade, and overall, they made up for the three second-round picks they dealt for White in the other deals they made (they got one from OKC, they got two from the Magic).

These are moves that may not move the needle, but they are solid moves nonetheless for a team that’s on an upward trajectory.

The post Hornets add backcourt experience with trade for Magic’s Tyus Jones appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks have shown interest in Thomas, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

A Thomas trade has been anticipated since the offseason, when he failed to agree to a contract extension with the Nets and signed his $6 million qualifying offer. The fifth-year guard reportedly turned down a two-year, $15 million contract featuring a team option in favor of his QO. He has a no-trade clause, meaning he’ll have to agree to any deal Brooklyn makes.

However, a change of scenery could be in Thomas’ best interest, given a recent role reduction.

Cam Thomas missing game for personal reasons amid Bucks, Cavs trade interest

Thomas opened the year as a starter and Brooklyn’s leading scorer. He averaged 24.4 points on .408/.356/.875 shooting splits across the team’s first seven games. However, the Nets posted a 0-7 record with an NBA-worst 128.5 defensive rating during that span.

Thomas injured his hamstring during Brooklyn’s eighth game of the season, after which the team improved dramatically. The Nets posted a 9-12 record with the NBA’s sixth-best defensive rating (111.7) during Thomas’ absence. They are 4-17 with the NBA’s second-worst defense (120.9) since the 24-year-old returned from a two-month layoff.

Thomas has moved to the bench and seen his role reduced dramatically following his return. He’s averaged 12.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 30.6 percent from three over his last 16 appearances.

The post Nets’ Cam Thomas sidelined for personal reasons as Bucks, Cavs trade rumors swirl appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Thunder enter the matchup at 39–11, No. 1 in the West, aiming to secure back-to-back wins after a statement victory over the Nuggets. The Magic come in at 25–23, No. 8 in the East, searching for a rebound after a loss to the Spurs. Here’s everything we know from the injury report about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and their playing status vs. the Magic.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren injury status for Thunder vs. Magic

The Thunder’s injury report makes the availability of both Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren especially important as Oklahoma City tries to maintain its grip on the top seed in the Western Conference. Multiple rotation players carry questionable or out designations, which shrinks the margin for error if either star is limited.

Alex Caruso is doubtful with a right adductor strain. Isaiah Hartenstein is questionable due to right soleus injury management. Ajay Mitchell remains out with an abdominal strain, while Thomas Sorber continues to recover from right ACL surgery. Nikola Topic is also out following surgical recovery. A right hamstring strain has sidelined Jalen Williams, while a left shoulder contusion has Jaylin Williams listed as questionable.

Orlando, meanwhile, enters the night looking to steady itself after a tough loss to San Antonio. The Magic are also dealing with injuries of their own, including Franz Wagner being ruled out. Still, they will view this matchup as a chance to defend home court against the NBA’s hottest team.

For the Thunder, this game is about consistency and separation in the standings. For Orlando, it is about recovery and response. And at the center of it all are the health questions surrounding SGA’s finger and Holmgren’s back.

So when it comes to the question of are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren playing tonight vs. the Magic, the answer leans toward yes.

The post Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren on long injury report vs. Magic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“I know they do that because they don’t want to play the game. They don’t want to play a basketball game.”

It was Wemby’s response to a question about the Orlando Magic guard’s physicality in the fourth quarter of a 112-103 Spurs victory.

“I don’t think I was frustrated,” the French phenom continued.

In addition to the defense the Magic’s leading scorer for the night played on Wembanyama in that final period, Bane was hit with a flagrant foul for lowering his shoulder into Wemby as the Spurs center was making his way down the court.

“Our job on offense is to make it a basketball game, so that’s how we’re going to beat them.” the 2023 first overall draft pick said.

"They do that because they don't want to play a basketball game.
Our job on offense is to make it a basketball game. That's how we're going to beat them…"

-Wemby to @RealTomPetrini on Desmond Bane's physicality in W v Orl. Bane, a flagrant for elbow at Vic late in 3rd#Spurs pic.twitter.com/7Q1lQGXE4f

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) February 2, 2026

The Spurs leading scorer for the season paced San Antonio with 25 points in their 33rd win of the year.

Victor Wembanyama says health is fine

It’s no secret that teams want to get physical with Wemby. To this point, it’s become the consensus on how to best knock him off his game. It’s a reality the 7-foot-5 Spur acknowledges.

“It’s not just this game, it’s like this every night.”

The Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans, among others, have made it a point to rough up Wembanyama. In bumping him off spots, encroaching on his space and hacking every time he touches the ball, each of those teams has beaten San Antonio at least once this season.

Such activity doesn’t bode well for a frame that weighs south of 250 pounds at his height. So far this season, Wemby has suffered different injuries coming off a year that ended last February because of blood clots in his right shoulder.

Prior to the game vs. the Magic, Wembanyama was initially listed as questionable due to left calf soreness. The two-time NBA All-Star selection missed a month from mid November to mid-December with a calf strain. Most recently, he sat out about a week to start the calendar year after hyper-extending his left knee.

When a reporter started with a question about whether one of his injuries might nag him, Wembanyama interrupted by asking, “What injury?”

Told that the question centered on the sore calf, Wemby answered with uncertainty.

“I don’t know. I don’t know that it’s related to my injury before. Out of caution, it’s almost like we’re going to consider that it’s related.”

The Spurs win vs. the Magic capped a day the team started in Charlotte, North Carolina, before a detour took them to Atlanta, Georgia. They arrived in the Alamo City just hours prior to an 8:00 tip-off Central time.

“Knowing all the special conditions, it’s been a long-ass day. I mean, we’ve been awake since, like, 6:00-something am Charlotte time. It’s close to midnight now. So yeah, a lot of caution in that report.”

It’s caution Wembayama’s opponents aren’t prioritizing.

The post Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama doesn’t hold back on Desmond Bane after flagrant foul appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Dealing Doncic was seen as a terrible decision right away, and hindsight has only proven that true, especially because the Mavericks received an underwhelming package in return. It only took an aging and injury-prone Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and just one first-round pick to acquire Doncic.

The trade proved that anything really is possible in the NBA, but fans may be even more confident now that Doncic won’t be traded at the 2026 NBA trade deadline. The Lakers not only enjoy having Doncic on their roster, but they also saw firsthand the scrutiny the Mavericks received for making a dumb trade that will forever impact their franchise. If the Lakers pulled a trick from the Mavericks’ playbook and did end up trading Doncic for reasons that couldn’t be explained or justified, where could he be traded? Here are four unrealistic trade proposals for Doncic.

Orlando Magic

Magic receive: Luka Doncic

Lakers receive: Franz Wagner, Anthony Black, Tristan Da Silva, 2032 first-round pick, three second-round picks

The Orlando Magic made a huge trade in the offseason, sending away four first-round picks and a pick swap to bring in Desmond Bane. The move added much-needed shooting to Orlando’s rotation. It also left them relatively thin when it comes to draft capital going forward. Their 2032 first-round pick is their only tradable first-rounder, which makes a trade for Doncic nearly impossible, but it took just one star and one first-round pick for the Lakers to trade for Doncic last year.

Paolo Banchero burst onto the scene after the Magic made him the first overall pick, but he has actually somewhat disappointed this year. Orlando hasn’t taken an expected step forward, and Banchero has really struggled to shoot the long ball, which has led to some even pinning Franz Wagner as the team’s best player, rather than Banchero. That makes Wagner the prized addition in this trade.

Wagner is averaging 22.2 points per game in his own right. While Wagner’s shooting numbers are up this season, he was below 30% from deep in each of the prior two years. Trading him may help Banchero get back to form, as they both demand the ball and prefer to slash. The Magic still need more shooting even after adding Bane. Doncic is, of course, one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA. The Magic have enough defense to cover for him, and he could be the missing piece that gets the team over the hump.

The Magic would also have to part with Anthony Black and Tristan Da Silva in this deal. Black, in particular, has emerged as a really good player this season, and Da Silva is a solid rotation piece. While the Lakers wouldn’t and shouldn’t make this trade, it is a better deal than what the Mavericks received for Doncic last year, even despite only one first-round pick being included yet again.

Miami Heat

Heat recieve: Luka Doncic

Lakers receive: Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell, two first-round picks, two second-round picks

Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are the Miami Heat’s two stars. They have craved a third star ever since Jimmy Butler requested a trade out of town. However, a deal for Doncic would likely mean parting with Herro. The Heat may just be okay with that, though. Herro has been above 20 points per game in each of the past five seasons, and he made the All-Star Game last year. Those numbers qualify Herro as a star, but the team has, at times, played better without him.

The Heat made it to the NBA Finals in 2023 largely without Herro, and they’ve performed better than expectations this year despite the shooting guard being limited to 11 games played. The team is 4-7 in games in which Herro has suited up this year, too. Whether or not Herro can contribute to a winning style of play has to be questioned.

If the Heat could flip him for Doncic, a similarly limited defensive player, but an offensive force as talented as any NBA player before him, Miami would have to do it. Doncic would thrive as the primary scorer and playmaker in Miami, where Austin Reaves and LeBron James wouldn’t be stealing touches away from him.

The Heat are known for their “Heat Culture,” too, so they would surely be able to get the best out of Doncic. Players are required to play with maximum effort on both sides of the court in Miami, so Doncic could reach levels that fans haven’t even seen out of him yet.

Detroit Pistons

Pistons receive: Luka Doncic

Lakers receive: Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris, Ron Holland, three first-round picks, six second-round picks

While the Detroit Pistons can stand pat and contend for years because of their young core, they are in a great spot to make a splash if they want. The team is currently in first place in the Eastern Conference standings. If there is a time to pursue a blockbuster trade, it would be this year while the conference is wide open due to injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum, as well as the inevitable trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

A Doncic-Cade Cunningham pairing could be enough to win a championship this year, especially since the Pistons would hold onto Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson if they made this deal. From an age perspective, it is possible that Cunningham and Doncic haven’t even hit their primes yet, so this duo could help Detroit contend for years to come.

Despite their current success in the standings, the Pistons have young assets and plenty of draft capital, so they could outbid teams for a star like Doncic. Jaden Ivey and Ron Holland were recent first-round picks who have flashed serious potential. That would be relatively intriguing for the Lakers, even though it is a stretch to think they’d even consider this deal. Three first-rounders and six second-round picks has to be enticing for a team that has James’ retirement on the horizon, though.

Atlanta Hawks

Hawks receive: Luka Doncic

Lakers receive: Zaccharie Risacher, Kristaps Porzingis, two first-round picks, two second-round picks

During the 2018 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks traded pick number three to the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas selected Doncic, and the Hawks took Trae Young with the fifth pick they acquired in the trade back. It is a move that fans have looked back at ever since. Young, like Doncic, became one of the best offensive engines in the NBA, but a lack of defense and winning playstyle led to the Hawks trading him to the Washington Wizards for next to nothing.

Doncic was also traded for a minimal return, so the connections between these two are undeniable. It would be quite ironic if Doncic were eventually traded to the team that originally passed on him on draft day. A trade to Atlanta could make some semblance of sense, though. The Hawks are clearly moving into a new era of basketball. Doncic could take over as their lead guard who runs the offense.

While trading for another defensively deficient player would be questionable at first glance, a lot of Young’s issues stemmed from a lack of size, whereas Doncic is a 6-foot-8 jumbo guard. For the Lakers, a stretch big like Kristaps Porzingis would actually fit quite well alongside James. While building around James doesn’t make a lot of sense considering he only has so many games left in the NBA, the all-time great has historically had a lot of say in what his teams do in the trade market. It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if James requested that the Lakers get him a stretch big who he can kick the ball out to. Of course, Porzingis’ health would be a big concern when making this deal.

Zaccharie Risacher would be the biggest appeal of this trade, though. While Risacher was taking in a weak draft class, it still means a lot to be a number one overall pick. He’d play a huge part in Lakers’ life after James’ retirement.

Ultimately, the Lakers are going to hold onto Doncic; plain and simple. The aforementioned trades all have a degree of logic, though.

The post 4 Luka Doncic blockbuster trades that will never happen appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Late in the third quarter, Bane was caught bulldozing Wembanyama while the latter was trying to find his spot on offense.

Following a review of the play, Bane was called for a flagrant foul for his action, which sent the former No. 1 overall pick tumbling to the floor.

Desmond Bane was called for a flagrant foul for this incident with Victor Wembanyama

Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/rEXXUPEUBg

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 2, 2026

Fortunately for Wembanyama and the Spurs, he did not get seriously hurt during that sequence, as he immediately got up. Although Bane is much smaller than Wembanyama, anyone would have folded after taking an elbow and shoulder into the midsection, especially from someone like Bane, who’s built like a tank.

When the Magic acquired Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies via a three-team trade that also involved the Phoenix Suns, the expectation was that he would provide toughness and grit to a young Orlando squad. His play against Wembanyama exemplified that, as Bane proved once again that he’s willing to take on anyone on the court.

Wembanyama and the Spurs also had the last laugh against Bane and the Magic, as San Antonio scored a 112-103 win at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. With that victory, the Spurs completed a regular-season series sweep of the Magic.

Wembanyama led the Spurs with 25 points (including an insane dunk) on 7-for-13 shooting from the floor, while Bane also had 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting.

The post Magic’s Desmond Bane slapped with flagrant foul after taking out Victor Wembanyama appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Tonight’s Magic-Spurs game in San Antonio will now tip off at 9 pm ET due to the Spurs’ travel issues today,” Siegel wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Spurs were stuck in Charlotte after facing the Hornets the day before, as a snowstorm came through and limited travel. The game had already been pushed back, but it will now start at an even later time. That doesn’t sound like it benefits the Spurs much, especially since it’s the second game of a back-to-back.

As for the Magic, they should probably be rested and ready to go.

Both teams are trying to keep up with other teams in their respective conferences, and a win for either side would go a long way. The Spurs have shown this season that they are one of the better teams in the league, and Victor Wembanyama has led the way for the group. At the same time, when Wembanyama isn’t playing, the Spurs are still showing enough fight to win games.

They did take the loss to the Hornets, but they’ve been one of the hottest teams as of late.

As for the Magic, they’ve been up and down this season as injuries have caught up to them again. Franz Wagner has been sidelined for the past five games, and it’s uncertain when he’ll return. For the time being, Paolo Banchero has been leading the group with the help of others such as Desmond Bane and Anthony Black.

The one thing the Magic probably want to avoid this season is the Play-In, and they’ll have to keep climbing the standings to do so.

The post Spurs-Magic tip time moved back due to San Antonio travel issues appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The NBA announced that the scheduled 3 p.m. CT tip-off time will be pushed back to 6 p.m due to inclement weather, per Tom Orsborn of San Antonio Express-News.

Hoping to avoid this exact situation, Saturday’s showdown with the red-hot Hornets (22-28) was moved up three hours earlier. The league’s efforts ensured that the game would be contested on the scheduled day, but the Spurs are now forced to remain in Charlotte overnight.

San Antonio’s uneven January ends with a double-whammy, courtesy of a 111-106 loss to the Hornets and a winter storm. The team nearly overcame a 20-point deficit, pulling within two points multiple times in the final minutes, but the outcome was essentially sealed after Harrison Barnes fouled Miles Bridges on a 3-point attempt with just over a minute remaining.

Victor Wembanyama continues to ride the roller coaster, scoring 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting. The Spurs’ young guards did their best to keep the squad in the contest, with Dylan Harper dropping 20 points off the bench on 9-of-13 shooting and Stephon Castle posting 16 points and nine assists. San Antonio will have another night in the Queen City to reflect on this loss.

Hopefully, everyone affected by the storm is safe, and the team has a smooth flight back.

The post Sunday’s Spurs-Magic showdown pushed back due to Charlotte snowstorm appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With the Knicks being on shaky ground, Karl-Anthony Towns has found himself involved in trade rumors. Towns was brilliant in his first season in New York, but his numbers are down this season and his effort on defense has been called into question.

Considering that Towns is making $53 million this season and is projected to make $57 million and $61 million over the next two seasons, respectively, the Knicks may be looking for a way out of paying their contract obligations to the 30-year-old big man who’s been playing inconsistent basketball this season.

To that end, one team that’s been rumored to have taken an in interest in Towns is the Orlando Magic. The Magic are at least pondering the idea of adding Towns to their young, up-and-coming roster, and they at least have some pieces that could be of interest to the Knicks.

If the two were to come to an agreement, here’s what the trade would most likely look like.

Magic consolidate talent to bring in Karl-Anthony Towns from the Knicks

Knicks acquire: Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac, 2026 ORL second-round pick

Magic acquire: Karl-Anthony Towns, Guerschon Yabusele

Why the Magic do this trade

The Magic have well-documented cap issues; this cap crunch they’re about to face has even forced them not to pick up Jett Howard’s fourth-year team option. They stacked max contracts for the likes of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Desmond Bane, not leaving them much room for the rest of the roster.

There seems to be an overwhelming sense that the Magic are ripe for either a salary dump trade, particularly involving Jonathan Isaac, or a consolidation trade that packages some of their huge contracts moving forward to acquire one All-Star talent who complements the team’s core perfectly.

Towns, at the very least, would be a supercharged version of Carter for the Magic on offense. He is a much more proficient three-point sniper than Carter’s ever been, and the Magic have the rangy defenders to at least help compensate for Towns’ shortcomings on that end of the floor.

Carter’s contract extension is also kicking in next season, and he’ll be making around $18 million, $19 million, and $20 million for the next three seasons. That is fair money for a starting center of Carter’s caliber. But the Magic have to know that there is risk involved in that contract.

Carter has missed some time with injuries in the past, and trading him away at least helps mitigate some of the risk that comes with their investment in the 26-year-old big man.

Speaking of injuries, Jalen Suggs just never seems to be healthy for the Magic. He’s only played in 25 of Orlando’s 45 games, and he’s not been up to speed in recent games as he’s still dealing with the effects of a knee contusion. Suggs only has one fully healthy season under his belt, playing 75 games during the 2023-24 season, and last season in particular was rough, as he only played in 35 games.

With Anthony Black breaking out and set to receive a contract extension of his own soon, Suggs has become more expendable than ever. Now, when healthy, Suggs is one of the best defenders in the NBA. But that is a major caveat with a lot of ifs baked into it.

Losing a homegrown talent like Suggs can be rough. His contract is also front-loaded, which means that his contract becomes less expensive (and more valuable) as the years pass. But with Orlando being in win-now mode, they might be better off devoting that cap space of theirs to more of a sure thing.

Black’s emergence as a legitimate starter in the NBA should make letting go of Suggs that much easier for the Magic. The sixth overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft is averaging nearly 16 points per game to go along with four rebounds and four assists, and he’s not too shabby defensively as well.

Isaac is another injury-prone player on a huge contract, but even he hasn’t been playing that much lately for the Magic. His contract is swiftly turning into one of the worst in the NBA, and getting off of that deal should be a huge win as well for Orlando.

A starting lineup moving forward consisting of Black, Bane, Wagner, Banchero, and Towns would do so much damage, and they will still have Tyus Jones, Goga Bitadze, Moe Wagner, Noah Penda, Jase Richardson, and Tristan da Silva logging minutes off the bench with Guerschon Yabusele looming as a wild-card contributor.

Why the Knicks do this trade

A few NBA insiders are calling the Knicks the losing party of the Towns trade that required them to send Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Randle is a borderline All-Star player who’s been solid all season long, while DiVincenzo remains one of the best snipers in the NBA.

Trading Towns away for this Magic package allows New York to make the team more focused around Jalen Brunson and their talent on the wings. This gives them more of a defensive identity, and it’s not like they don’t have the pieces still to put up a top-10 offense even with Towns out of the picture.

Head coach Mike Brown can split up the minutes between Carter and Mitchell Robinson more evenly, and he will also have the option of sending Isaac out there against quicker and smaller units. Carter becomes the option for spacing the floor, while Robinson is coming in as the bruising option, with the two splitting time at the five similar to how the Toronto Raptors were using Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol back in 2019.

And then integrating Suggs should be very easy for Brown to do, and putting him in a reduced role should help him be fresh for when the games matter. Adding Suggs, an All-NBA-level defender, alongside Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby would wreak so much havoc against the opposition, and they’re also sufficient enough creators and scorers that the Knicks shouldn’t suffer too much of a drop-off on the offensive end.

Suggs could either start alongside Brunson and take on the quicker matchups, shielding his more offensively-inclined teammate from tougher matchups, or he could come off the bench and give way to Josh Hart against teams that need more size and strength to combat against.

Either way, Suggs gives the Knicks so much lineup flexibility, and he also addresses their need for a reliable backup/secondary point guard. And he’s only 24 years of age, and as mentioned earlier, his contract decreases in value over the next four seasons, making it easier for the Knicks to extend their contending window.

The risk of course is that Suggs, Carter, and Isaac all have injury histories. But playing on a stacked Knicks roster should theoretically make it easier for them to stay healthier. Taking on the huge Carter and Isaac contracts may not be very ideal for the Knicks, but gambling on Suggs’ upside under a team-friendly deal makes it very worth it. And on their own, those contracts should not be too difficult to dump anyway if push comes to shove.

The post Magic trade hypothetical lands Karl-Anthony Towns from Knicks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Magic (23-22) ruled Wagner out for the matchup in South Florida, marking his fourth consecutive game sidelined as he continues to deal with left ankle soreness. Tipoff against the Heat (25-22) is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Wagner’s continued absence comes as Orlando navigates growing injury concerns and recent slippage in the standings. The Magic most recently fell 114-98 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, a loss that dropped them to eighth in the Eastern Conference. Orlando has struggled to generate consistent offense during the skid, while defensive reliability has also waned.

Head coach Jamahl Mosley acknowledged last week that Wagner experienced significant soreness following shootaround, prompting the organization to take a longer-term view with its star forward. The team has emphasized caution rather than pushing Wagner back into action amid lingering discomfort.

The 24-year-old has already missed 17 games this season and remains central to Orlando’s success when healthy. In his fifth NBA campaign, Wagner is averaging 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 48.2 percent from the field and a career-high 36.8 percent from three-point range across 26 appearances while logging 32.8 minutes per contest. His scoring efficiency and two-way versatility have been key pillars for the Magic when he is available.

Ankle soreness sidelines Franz Wagner again as Magic face Heat

Wagner last appeared during Orlando’s two-game European trip against the Memphis Grizzlies, playing in both the Magic’s win in Berlin and their loss in London last Sunday. In the 126-109 loss to Memphis, he finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists while shooting 5-for-13 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line across 26 minutes.

Since then, recurring left ankle soreness has limited his ability to return as Orlando attempts to balance competitiveness with player health. His absence has coincided with offensive inconsistency, particularly against physical frontcourts, and has forced the Magic to lean more heavily on depth and lineup flexibility.

Orlando enters Wednesday’s contest hoping a road environment can help reset momentum against a Miami team hovering above .500. The Magic have emphasized urgency internally as they attempt to stop the slide before it deepens.

Following the matchup against Miami, Orlando will return home to host the Toronto Raptors (29-19) on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Wagner’s status beyond Wednesday remains uncertain, with the Magic continuing to evaluate his condition on a day-to-day basis.

As Orlando pushes through a congested portion of the Eastern Conference standings, Wagner’s health remains a pivotal factor in determining how quickly the Magic can regain stability and climb back up the playoff picture.

The post Franz Wagner’s injury absence continues as Magic rule him out vs. Heat appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Lowe revealed a hypothetical deal that would send the Milwaukee Bucks superstar to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Paolo Banchero, along with limited additional assets. The proposal immediately drew attention given the stature of both players and the long-term implications for each franchise.

“My favorite fake trade for Giannis is Paolo Banchero plus whatever they have left over, which ain’t much, I think you could trade one first round pick, plus something else for Giannis. Because you need a player that’s going to help you win now. And you sort of sell high on Paolo, which isn’t possible anymore, but it was poison pilled, cap release poison pilled.”

Lowe added that the idea has been on his mind since the start of the season, framing it as a win-now move for Milwaukee if the franchise ultimately pivots toward a reset around younger assets.

Banchero, 23, is in his fourth NBA season and remains the centerpiece of the Magic’s long-term plans. He is averaging 21.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 46.1% from the field and 29.1% from three-point range across 35 appearances, logging 34.1 minutes per contest. His most recent outing saw him produce 37 points, 10 rebounds and four assists on 13-for-21 shooting in a 114-98 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, Orlando’s second straight defeat. The loss dropped the Magic to 23-22, placing them eighth in the Eastern Conference amid a disappointing season relative to expectations.

Zach Lowe floats Giannis Antetokounmpo–Paolo Banchero trade between Bucks, Magic

Banchero is earning approximately $41.5 million this season after signing a five-year, $239 million maximum rookie extension that could escalate to $287 million if he earns All-NBA honors. The contract includes a player option for the 2030-31 season, making him a long-term financial commitment for any franchise.

Antetokounmpo, 31, has been a fixture in trade speculation throughout the season as Milwaukee has struggled to gain traction. The former two-time MVP and Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting career highs of 64.5% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range across 30 games, playing 29.2 minutes per contest. Despite his efficiency, the Bucks sit at 18-26, 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season as part of a three-year, $175.3 million contract that includes a player option for the 2027-28 campaign. His salary, age and championship pedigree would dramatically alter the trajectory of a Magic team built around youth and defensive development.

For now, the scenario remains purely theoretical. Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined again with a calf strain, and his return timeline remains uncertain. Milwaukee will attempt to snap a two-game skid Tuesday night when it opens a three-game road trip against the Philadelphia 76ers (24-21) at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Orlando, meanwhile, will look to halt a four-game losing streak Wednesday night when it travels to face the Miami Heat (25-22) at 7:30 p.m. ET, as speculation continues to swirl around what direction the franchise could take if bold opportunities arise.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo sent to Magic in Zach Lowe’s Bucks trade proposal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Banchero is going through his fourth season in the NBA with the Magic. He has shined as one of the best players at his position, showcasing his skillset as an aggressive attacker at the rim and active rebounder.

In 40 minutes of action, Banchero filled up the stat sheet in Orlando’s duel against Cleveland. He finished with a stat line of 37 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. He shot 13-of-21 from the field, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 9-of-13 from the free-throw line. His efforts saw him join Dwight Howard and Hardaway in franchise history for the third-most 35-point games, via StatMuse.

Paolo Banchero vs Cleveland:

37 PTS
10 REB

Ties Dwight and Penny for the third-most 35 PT games in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/PYHFJFYeq6

— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 27, 2026

How Paolo Banchero, Magic played against Cavaliers

Paolo Banchero’s efforts are a great sign for the Magic despite the loss to the Cavaliers. However, he will need his teammates to step up on the scoring front more consistently.

Orlando got off to a solid start, leading 32-22 after the first quarter. However, Cleveland took full control and never looked back by outscoring the Magic 92-66 in the last three periods of regulation.

Three players scored in double-digits for Orlando in the loss, including Banchero. Desmond Bane delivered a stat line of 19 points, four rebounds, one steal, and one block. He shot 7-of-17 overall, including 3-of-7 from downtown, and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Anthony Black came next with 14 points and five assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. provided nine points and seven rebounds.

Orlando fell to a 23-22 record on the season, holding the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are 0.5 games above the Chicago Bulls and 1.5 games above the Atlanta Hawks, while trailing the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers by one game.

Going through four consecutive losses, the Magic will look to get back on track in their next matchup. They are on the road when they face the Heat on Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The post Magic star Paolo Banchero’s Penny Hardaway feat wasted in blowout loss to Cavs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Philadelphia 76ers are among the teams that the Nets could partner with on a deal before Feb. 5.

“Based on [the 76ers’] recent history of trading to get under the luxury-tax threshold, there’s an expectation that they’ll make at least one trade ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline,” wrote the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. “The Sixers are $7 million above the allowable threshold to avoid being taxed. They’re also around $1 million away from being a first-apron team and facing penalties.”

Ducking the tax won’t be simple for the 76ers. They have six players making more than $7 million: Joel Embiid ($55.2 million), Paul George ($54.1 million), Tyrese Maxey ($38 million), V.J. Edgecombe ($11.1 million), Quentin Grimes ($8.7 million) and Kelly Oubre ($8.4 million).

Nets’ cap space could be deadline asset for 76ers, others

Of those, Oubre is the only plausible trade candidate in a cost-cutting move. However, the 76ers will be hesitant to part with the forward, who has averaged 14.6 points on .490/.380/.733 shooting spits across 22 appearances this season. Philadelphia could work out a three-team trade where it receives assets and another unwanted contract, which could be rerouted to Brooklyn.

Andre Drummond is a more likely salary-dump candidate. The veteran center is on a $5 million expiring contract. The 76ers could package draft compensation with Drummond and a pair of minimum contracts to dump them into the Nets’ cap space. However, that would leave Philadelphia with several open roster spots and a need at backup center.

Daryl Morey could fill the open spots by signing free agents to prorated minimum contracts. The 76ers could use one of their open roster spots on another center. Otherwise, they’d have to rely on Adem Bona, Johmi Broome and Dominick Barlow to fill the minutes behind Joel Embiid.

The Orlando Magic are another team to watch regarding a cost-cutting move that could involve Brooklyn. They’re $5.6 million above the luxury tax line and have two players on expiring, mid-sized contracts — Tyus Jones ($7 million) and Jett Howard ($5.5 million) — who aren’t integral pieces. Howard’s father, Juwan, is an assistant coach for the Nets.

The Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns could also partner with Brooklyn on a trade. Each is less than $1 millon above the tax line and should be motivated to dip below it. Each season, half of the NBA’s collected luxury tax payments are distributed equally among non-taxpaying teams.

The post NBA Rumors: 76ers among teams who could partner with Nets on trade before deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During Cleveland’s road game versus the Orlando Magic (23-20), the Cavs star power forward demonstrated the exact intensity the team needs. Unfazed by Paolo Banchero, Mobley attacked the basket and dunked over the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year. He was animated and unstoppable, doing his best to set the tone early in this intriguing Eastern Conference contest.

Unfortunately, as has been the case this season, Mobley is struggling to stay in offensive rhtyhem. He was 3-of-10 from the field at halftime, misfiring on all three of his 3-point attempts.

Evan Mobley with the POSTER on Paolo Banchero pic.twitter.com/KEeZDXop0B

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 25, 2026

Donovan Mitchell continues to handle massive responsibilities on offense, scoring 29.0 points on 48.2 percent shooting. He embraces the top role, but he could use another alpha to truly share in his burden. Perhaps Mobley is just destined to have sporadic eruptions. If he never takes the next step in his game, the 2025 All-Star is still an undeniable difference-maker who thrives defensively and still averages 18.0 points per game.

However, if Evan Mobley can evolve into an unquestionably reliable No. 2 to Mitchell, then the Cavs should have a legitimate claim to the Eastern crown. Fans are tired of hypotheticals. They want to see a fully unleashed Mobley moving forward. Fair or not, his offensive consistency could determine Cleveland’s ceiling in 2026.

On a more microscopic scale, his performance could decide tonight’s outcome in Orlando. The Cavaliers led the Magic 55-48 at the break.

The post Watch Cavs’ Evan Mobley put Paolo Banchero on a poster appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Magic (23-20) listed Jalen Suggs as questionable with a right knee MCL contusion ahead of Saturday night’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-20), scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Suggs has not played since Jan. 3, continuing a frustrating stretch of injuries for Orlando as the team attempts to stabilize its rotation.

Suggs suffered the Grade 1 MCL contusion during a Jan. 2 loss to the Chicago Bulls after returning from a previous absence. In that contest, he recorded 11 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal while shooting 4-for-6 from the field in 20 minutes before exiting early in the third quarter. Since then, the Magic have taken a cautious approach to his recovery, prioritizing long-term health over a rushed return.

Through 23 games this season, the 24-year-old guard has remained a key two-way contributor when available. In his fifth NBA season, Suggs is averaging 15.0 points, career highs of 4.7 assists and 1.9 steals, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He is shooting 47.1% from the field and 33.1% from three-point range while playing 25.4 minutes per contest, anchoring Orlando’s perimeter defense and ball pressure.

Injuries mount as Franz Wagner ruled out, Jalen Suggs questionable vs. Cavaliers

Suggs is not the only major name on the injury report. The Magic also ruled out forward Franz Wagner for a second straight game, listing him with left ankle soreness. Head coach Jamahl Mosley acknowledged earlier in the week that Wagner experienced significant soreness after shootaround, prompting the team to reassess his status from a long-term perspective.

Wagner has already missed 17 games this season and remains central to Orlando’s success when healthy. The 24-year-old is averaging 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.2% from the field and a career-high 36.8% from three-point range across 26 appearances. His continued absence has coincided with recent offensive inconsistency and defensive slippage for the Magic.

Orlando enters Saturday’s matchup having dropped its most recent game, falling to 23-20 on the season. With Wagner ruled out and Suggs questionable, the Magic may again rely on depth and lineup flexibility against a Cavaliers team that has remained firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Cleveland arrives in Orlando at 26-20, seeking to continue its strong defensive play while capitalizing on Orlando’s injuries. The Magic, meanwhile, are focused on regaining stability as they manage the health of two foundational pieces.

Suggs’ status is expected to be monitored throughout the day, with his availability likely determined closer to tipoff. As Orlando balances short-term competitiveness with long-term priorities, both Suggs and Wagner remain pivotal to how the Magic navigate the next stretch of the season.

The post Is Jalen Suggs playing tonight? Magic vs. Cavs injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Banchero finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal while shooting 6-for-12 from the field, 2-for-4 from three-point range and 9-for-12 from the free throw line in 30 minutes. The performance did little to change the outcome, as Orlando fell behind early and never recovered.

Speaking after the game, Banchero emphasized that the team’s struggles feel less like a temporary slump and more like a recurring pattern.

“I think it’s really similar to the past couple of seasons if you really look at it and you know, last year wasn’t a great season. We had tough times, a lot of bad losses last year. The year before when we won 47 games, probably our best year, but I think it’s something that has occurred over and over again the last few seasons so I just think we gotta figure a way to put an end to it. If we want to be a contender or a team that’s going to play deep into the playoffs, we gotta go out there and be different. We can’t just stay the same and right now feels like we have the same issues as the past and now our defense is slipping which makes it look worse. Like you said, our defense covered a lot of that in the past and now that’s slipping. Those problems start to be magnified when you can’t win on your defense and I think that’s something we gotta figure out.”

Listen to Paolo Banchero after tonight’s blowout loss.

Pretty damning stuff. pic.twitter.com/n9dShnT37h

— Alex Walker (@AlexWalkerTV) January 23, 2026

Paolo Banchero cites lack of alignment amid Magic inconsistencies

Offensively, Orlando has shown incremental improvement compared to recent seasons, but the production remains below league average. The Magic rank 19th in scoring at 115.7 points per game after finishing 24th in 2023–24 and 28th the year prior. Perimeter shooting continues to be a lingering issue, with Orlando ranking 28th in three-point percentage at 34 percent — a problem that has persisted near the bottom of the league for three consecutive seasons.

Defense, however, has long been Orlando’s stabilizing force. That reliability has begun to fade. The Magic rank 13th this season, allowing 115.4 points per game. Two years ago, during a 47-win campaign, they finished fourth defensively by holding opponents to 108.4 points per contest. Last season, despite a 41-41 record, Orlando posted the NBA’s top defensive rating at 105.5 points allowed per game — edging even the Oklahoma City Thunder, who went on to win the championship.

Banchero said alignment across the organization has not been consistent enough to prevent those slippages.

“It’s on everybody. It’s on me.” Banchero said.” It’s on everyone on the team. Coaches. We’ve got to be on the same page. It sucks that I’m saying that in January but that’s the reality. I don’t think we’ve been on the same page much this year. I just think it’s showing up with the way we’ve played, showing up with the inconsistencies throughout the season, and it’s frustrating. Guys in the locker room, we want to win. But [as] I said, you can’t just say you want to win without doing anything to make it happen.”

Hornets’ opening-quarter burst exposes Magic’s defensive focus

Head coach Jamahl Mosley pointed to a lack of defensive urgency early as a defining factor in the loss. Charlotte scored 35 points in the opening quarter after playing the night before.

“It is a little shocking. You’ve got to give the Hornets a ton of credit the way they came out and played. They played last night. They got beat.” Mosley said. “They responded with a sense of urgency the way they came out [scoring] 35 in that first quarter. Shots didn’t fall and we let it impact our defense.”

Mosley was direct when asked how the Magic can regain their defensive edge.

“You sit down and guard. You sit down and guard the damn basketball. That’s what you do. You take it personally when guys blow by you. You take it personally when your teammates get scored on, when you get scored on and guys are getting easy baskets. And they hit some tough ones early that are a little deflating, but then when you do miss, you go box out, hit somebody and get a damn rebound. That’s what you do.”

I asked #Magic coach Jamahl Mosley if it’s surprising to him that Orlando’s defense still continues to struggle and how it recaptures that:

“It is a little shocking,” Mosley said.

He later added: “You sit down and guard the damn basketball. That’s what you do.”

Full remarks: pic.twitter.com/1sbH95M57h

— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) January 23, 2026

Veteran big man Moritz Wagner echoed the urgency after scoring 14 points off the bench in 15 minutes, shooting 5-for-7 from the field and 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.

“I think we’re deep in the mud. I don’t think we’ve struggled this much in the time as much as we do right now in my stint here. And we’re all looking for answers. But it’s also part of the profession that it’s not always going to go our way. And you’ve kind of got to start looking left and right, and figure it out together. And we will start doing that.”

For Orlando, the challenge now is preventing familiar issues from defining the season after falling to 23-20, with Saturday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers (25-20) looming.

The post Why Magic need a little hocus pocus to banish old habits keeping them ‘deep in the mud’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Mosley addressed Wagner’s status prior to Orlando’s 124-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night, explaining that the discomfort had worsened following pregame activity. The comments underscored the seriousness of the situation as the Magic attempt to balance immediate competitiveness with player health.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard as heck to deal with,” Mosley told Orlando Sentinel reporter Jason Beede. “But he came up really, really, really sore after shootaround. And we’ve got to obviously look at the long-term view for how we’re dealing with our guys and he’s one of those guys that we have to continue to look at in that situation.”

Mosley added that the organization remains cautious about projecting the injury’s timeline, emphasizing ongoing monitoring rather than speculation.

“I’m hoping it’s not long term,” Mosley said. “We want to monitor it to make sure it’s the right thing for the long term for our entire group and this organization as well as Franz.”

Wagner, 24, has already missed 17 games this season after being sidelined again Thursday. The absence has further complicated an Orlando rotation that has been tested by multiple injuries throughout the campaign. While the Magic have remained competitive, Wagner’s availability has become a growing concern as soreness persists rather than subsides.

Franz Wagner’s impact felt as Magic navigate injuries and recent skid

When healthy, Wagner has remained one of Orlando’s most productive and reliable contributors. In his fifth NBA season, he is averaging 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 48.2 percent from the field and a career-high 36.8 percent from three-point range across 26 appearances while logging 32.8 minutes per contest. His offensive consistency and two-way presence have been central to Orlando’s success when he is in the lineup.

The Magic dropped to 23-20 following the loss to Charlotte and have now lost two straight games. Wagner’s continued absence has coincided with a stretch in which Orlando has struggled to maintain offensive rhythm and defensive cohesion, particularly against physical frontcourts.

Orlando is also awaiting the return of guard Jalen Suggs, who has not played since Jan. 3. The Magic have expressed optimism about Suggs’ progress, but his return date remains uncertain, leaving the team shorthanded in key areas.

The Magic will look to regroup quickly as they prepare to face the Cleveland Cavaliers (25-20) on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET. Whether Wagner is able to return alongside Suggs remains unclear, but Mosley made clear that organizational patience will take precedence over urgency.

As Orlando navigates the middle portion of the season, Wagner’s health has emerged as a pivotal factor. The Magic continue to evaluate his condition daily, aware that his long-term availability may ultimately shape both their immediate outlook and postseason aspirations.

The post Magic star Franz Wagner’s injury concerns reach new levels with continued soreness appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Siegel reported Thursday that Minnesota is widely expected to pursue backcourt help.

“Everyone around the NBA knows that the Minnesota Timberwolves want to add a point guard, and they are heavily expected to make a move for a guard before Feb. 5,” Siegel wrote. “Who that will be is dependent on the market, as Rob Dillingham and Mike Conley are their only real trade assets at this point.”

Several guards have been linked to Minnesota in recent discussions, including Chicago Bulls players Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Tre Jones, along with Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk. Siegel added that Tyus Jones and Collin Sexton are also names league personnel have connected to the Timberwolves, though Charlotte has indicated it would seek meaningful value — either draft picks or a young prospect — in any Sexton deal.

Minnesota’s urgency stems from its positioning in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves enter Thursday at 27-17, sitting seventh in the standings and searching for consistency after dropping three straight games. They will look to halt that slide when they host the Chicago Bulls (21-22) at 8:00 p.m. ET to open a three-game homestand.

Magic, Timberwolves emerge as potential trade partners ahead of deadline

On the other side of the potential equation, Orlando is navigating its own financial and roster considerations. Siegel reported that the Magic are open to moving multiple rotation pieces as they weigh short-term upgrades against long-term payroll flexibility.

“There has been talk as of late that the Orlando Magic are open to moving Tyus Jones, Goga Bitadze, and/or Jonathan Isaac before this season’s trade deadline,” Siegel wrote. “Bitadze is an intriguing center who could fetch multiple second-round picks in a trade and free up salary for the 2026-27 season in the process.”

Siegel added that Orlando could dip below the luxury tax by taking back less salary in a deal, while still making a secondary upgrade to bolster its playoff push. However, the Magic’s broader strategy appears focused on flexibility, with the organization unlikely to pursue players beyond those on expiring contracts given a significant payroll increase looming this offseason.

The Magic (23-19) currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference and are balancing development with contention. Orlando recently returned from a European trip in which it split two games against the Memphis Grizzlies, earning a win in Berlin before falling in London. The Magic will resume play Thursday night by hosting the Charlotte Hornets (16-28) at 7:00 p.m. ET.

While no deal between Minnesota and Orlando has been reported as imminent, the alignment of needs — Minnesota’s search for guard depth and Orlando’s willingness to move salary while collecting assets — has drawn league attention. As the deadline approaches, both teams are expected to remain active in discussions as they seek marginal gains that could shape the remainder of their seasons.

The post NBA rumors: Timberwolves, Magic could be trade partners ahead of deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Suggs was listed as questionable on the Magic’s latest injury report with a right knee MCL contusion ahead of Thursday night’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. However, head coach Jamahl Mosley later clarified that the guard will not play, despite the upgrade signaling continued progress in his recovery.

According to Orlando Sentinel reporter Jason Beede, Mosley confirmed that Suggs remains sidelined after recent on-court work.

“#Magic coach Jamahl Mosley says Jalen Suggs (right knee MCL contusion) will be OUT for tonight’s game against Charlotte,” Beede shared on X. “Suggs ‘came up OK after yesterday’s work,’ and Orlando will see how he goes from there.”

The update reflects a step forward for Suggs, who has missed more than three weeks after suffering the injury earlier this month. His last appearance came Jan. 2 in Orlando’s 121-114 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Before exiting early in the third quarter, Suggs recorded 11 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal while shooting 4-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line in 20 minutes.

Jalen Suggs out vs. Hornets as Magic weigh return timeline

Orlando enters Thursday’s contest at 23-19 after splitting its two games overseas, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin before falling in London on Sunday. The Magic will host the Hornets (16-28) at 7:00 p.m. ET as they resume regular-season play in Central Florida.

Suggs has been a key two-way contributor when available in his fifth NBA season. The 24-year-old former All-Defensive Second Team selection is averaging 15.0 points, career highs of 4.7 assists and 1.9 steals, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He is shooting 47.1% from the field and 33.1% from three-point range across 23 appearances while playing 25.4 minutes per contest.

While Suggs will not return Thursday, the upgrade to questionable suggests a potential return in the near future as Orlando continues to evaluate his response to increased workload.

Following the matchup against Charlotte, the Magic will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET before opening a two-game road trip next Monday with a return visit to Cleveland. Orlando’s handling of Suggs’ recovery remains measured as the team looks ahead to a challenging stretch on the schedule.

The post Is Magic’s Jalen Suggs returning vs Hornets after lengthy injury absence appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The NBA trade deadline is coming up, and changes could be coming. Newsday’s Steve Popper reported that people around the league are beginning to speculate that the Knicks might consider trading Towns. While a league source told him that they haven’t shopped the center yet, the former first overall pick has been brought up in trade talks with numerous teams.

The Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, and Memphis Grizzlies were all reported as teams that have shown interest in Towns. The Milwaukee Bucks have long been considered a likely Towns trade destination, too, because the Knicks are viewed as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s preferred trade destination if he ends up committing to a trade request. It still seems unlikely that Towns would be moved, considering his first year in New York was just last season and was arguably his career year. Superstars are traded left and right in the modern NBA, though. So, if Towns were put on the trading block, which teams would serve as his best fit?

7. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors became a dynasty because of their small-ball philosophy. Fans have long wondered how the team would fare with an interior presence, though. Towns is one of the best centers in the NBA. Making the money work in a trade would be easier said than done for the Warriors, but as a pure fit, he would make some sense for Golden State.

With Stephen Curry on the roster, the Warriors prioritize the 3-point shot. Towns is an elite 3-point shooter who would let the Warriors continue with their style of play. Jimmy Butler just suffered a torn ACL. His contract would likely have to be included to make a trade for Towns work. The Warriors probably can’t reach contention status even after swapping an injured Butler for Towns, though. The Knicks surely wouldn’t want to trade for an injured player anyway.

6. Milwaukee Bucks

A Towns-to-Milwaukee trade probably only happens in a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While that decision would be understandable for the Knicks, considering The Greek Freak is a two-time MVP and one of the best players in the NBA, it would be questionable for the Bucks. Trading for draft capital and young assets would make more sense for the Bucks, but reports suggest that the Bucks would trade their franchise icon to a destination he wants to land in.

Towns’ fit in Milwaukee would be questionable because they already added Myles Turner in the offseason. Both Turner and Towns are great 3-point shooting big men, but they probably can’t share the floor together. A center logjam with two veterans wouldn’t get the Bucks set off on the right trajectory in life after Antetokounmpo, so they’d probably look to flip Towns in another trade if he ended up with the team. Still, they have to be mentioned as a fit because of the Antetokounmpo-for-Towns rumors.

5. Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers were a game away from becoming NBA champions last season. The mighty have fallen ever since, as they are now last in the Eastern Conference standings. Of course, Tyrese Haliburton’s injury is the biggest cause for Indiana’s regression. However, the departure of Myles Turner in free agency hasn’t done the team any favors.

The addition of Towns won’t help the Pacers contend this year, but he’d be a great addition for when the team is again led by Haliburton next season. Haliburton is arguably the best playmaker in the NBA, so Towns would surely benefit from playing alongside him.

4. Memphis Grizzlies

Of the three teams rumored as teams interested in Towns, the Memphis Grizzlies make the least sense, but they’d still be a pretty solid fit for Towns. Assuming he were dealt in a deal for the disgruntled Ja Morant, and not for Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies would have an impressive frontcourt pairing.

Both Towns and Jackson can shoot the three-ball, which would really open up the offense for some creative schemes and play designs. Their combined 3-point expertise would be tough for almost any opposing team to defend, too. Plus, Jackson’s rim protection would pair nicely with Towns.

Towns isn’t a terrible defender inside, but his blocks numbers have been down for a few seasons now. Jackson could cover for him in that regard as a former Defensive Player of the Year and multi-time league leader in blocks. Zach Edey is on Memphis’ roster, too. He has struggled with injuries through two seasons, so Towns’ presence on the roster would help limit his exposure to overuse and provide further insurance if he continues to hurt his ankles.

3. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards already made the biggest trade of the year, so what is stopping them from making another blockbuster deal? The Wizards dealt next to nothing for Trae Young, so they still have assets to create a package for Towns. Even with Young, Washington is still a ways away from contending.

Another All-Star addition would fast-track their rebuild. The Wizards are loaded with guards and wings. Alex Sarr is the only long-term option inside, though. The former number two pick could play alongside Towns. Defense would certainly be a concern on a Young/Towns-led team, but Washington is still one of his best trade fits.

2. Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets have three players who average 19 points per game. However, they’ve yet to take the next step forward when it comes to winning games. A glaring weakness at the center position is a big reason why. The Hornets are giving their center minutes to Ryan Kalkbrenner, Moussa Diabate, and Mason Plumlee.

Kalkbrenner has been solid during his rookie season, but he still seems best off in reserve duty. Towns would give the Hornets the boost they need. He fits the team’s philosophy, as both the Hornets and Towns like to shoot a lot of shots from beyond the arc. Towns would also surely thrive with an elite and unique passer like LaMelo Ball feeding him the ball, too.

1. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have long needed more 3-point shooting. That is why they traded four first-round picks and additional assets to acquire Desmond Bane in the offseason. The ex-Grizzlies wing has improved Orlando’s spacing, but they still rank just 28th in both 3-point makes (11 per game) and 3-point percentage (33.9%).

With Orlando’s two best players, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, being slashers who like to score inside, the Magic need players who thrive beyond the arc. Most centers aren’t great from deep, but Towns is the best 3-point shooting five-man in NBA history, making him the perfect fit for Orlando’s roster.

Now, acquiring Towns’ contract would likely mean including Jalen Suggs in a deal. This might not be the end of the world, though. Not only has Suggs struggled to stay on the floor throughout his career, but both Banchero and Wagner like to operate with the ball in their hands, so the Magic might be able to get away with not dedicating a lot of minutes to typical playmaking point guards. Anthony Black has really started to come on strong in recent months, too.

This is the year to go all in for Eastern Conference teams, so the Magic should trade for Towns before the trade deadline. They are by far his best trade destination.

The post Ranking 7 best Karl-Anthony Towns trade destinations if Knicks press panic button appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While talking with NBA Insider Marc Stein, the soon-to-be 22-year-old guard admitted he has watched his own highlight 15 to 20 times. He then explained what he saw while taking the ball to the rim and slamming it down.

“I’ve probably watched it 10, 15 times. 20 times,” said Black… “I got the ball, I seen one man in front of me. I seen everybody else kinda getting back slower. So, try to get past my man, and then, honestly, I only saw Santi [Aldama] jump. Like, that was the only person I seen contest. Until I got to the bench and they showed me the replay. I was like ‘Oh.’ But, I just seen a lane. [It] was open, so you know, I felt confident and tried to take off.”

Magic star Anthony Black speaks to @talkSPORT and @TheSteinLine about THAT Dunk Heard 'Round The World' pic.twitter.com/BTG2zY3ydS

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 17, 2026

From Anthony Black’s perspective, he really only saw one player in his way during his dunk attempt. Which makes sense considering the other three Grizzlies defenders were technically behind him during the dunk. Either way, it was a remarkable play, and it will be a memorable one for the 2025-26 season.

DUNK OF THE YEAR?!!?! ANTHONY BLACK ON 4 GRIZZLIES pic.twitter.com/8QANj6pPUM

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 15, 2026

The third-year guard is having a sort of breakout season this year with the Magic. After playing a more reserve role in his first two seasons, Anthony Black has emerged as one of the main contributors on the Magic. Through 41 games played so far in the campaign, Black is averaging 15.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 46.7% from the floor and 35.9% from beyond the three-point line.

He’ll have another chance to shine on Sunday when the Magic take on the Grizzlies once again. However, this time it will be a road game, as the contest takes place in Memphis.

The post Magic guard Anthony Black breaks down insane dunk vs. Grizzlies appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Even Black himself was astounded by the dunk. After the game, the Magic guard was shown his highlight. It almost looked like Black couldn’t believe that he had that highlight.

https://x.com/MrBuckBuckNBA/status/2012046209024745631

In his postgame interview, Black admitted that he didn’t realize how many defenders were on him during the play. Instead, the Magic guard was simply focused on getting to the rim as aggressively as possible.

“I didn’t even know it was on four people (defenders),” he said, via NBA.com. “I just saw the rim, saw the help defender. My teammates told me about it back in the huddle. Just being aggressive.”

Black’s dunk came at a critical moment in the game. The Magic were in the midst of an 11-4 run during their comeback bid against the Grizzlies. Black’s poster-worthy dunk tied the game at 107-all. Orlando would not trail after that sequence, finishing the game with a 118-111 score in forward Franz Wagner’s first NBA game in Germany.

Black finished the game with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field, along with six rebounds and seven assits. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 26 points and 13 boards. Wagner, in his first game back from injury, had 16 points. The Magic improved to 23-18 on the season.

The Magic will now travel to London as part of the league’s international efforts. They will once again face the Grizzlies, who are dealing with the ongoing saga with Ja Morant. 

The post Magic’ Anthony Black watching his dunk over 4 Grizzlies absolutely rules appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Black got the ball during a fast break with roughly two and a half minutes remaining in the game, using a cross step to navigate four Grizzlies defenders before finishing the play with a ferocious dunk. Engulfed by the opposition, the former No. 6 overall draft pick plowed through and ignited the European city. The clutch jam broke a 107 tie and helped lift the Magic to a 118-11 victory.

ANTHONY BLACK SLAMS IT DOWN OVER FOUR GRIZZLIES DEFENDERS

pic.twitter.com/YWLD4NmMRF

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 15, 2026

People in attendance and those watching at home were captivated by Black’s remarkable feat of strength. “You went crazy,” RDCWorld’s Mark Phillips told Black after the NBA’s first regular season game in Berlin. “Dunking on four people… That might be dunk of the year.”

“Never seen someone basically dunk on the whole squad at ONCE,” @ucancallmequiis commented on X. “AB got game,” @NunyaBidniss123 declared.

Orlando star forward Paolo Banchero was also impressed by the highlight-reel dunk, but he could not understand what compelled the Grizzlies to take on Anthony Black.

“That was ridiculous… I don’t know why all them guys jumped, man!” he told NBA on Prime.

Taylor Rooks: "Anthony Black certainly made his presence known in Germany, dunking over four guys… What did you see?"

Paolo Banchero: "That was ridiculous… I don't know why all them guys jumped, man!"

(via @NBAonPrime)pic.twitter.com/h0eLjye5bO https://t.co/Fbdk2irbtU

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 15, 2026

The 21-year-old, who is sneakily enjoying a breakout season with Orlando, is gaining well-deserved exposure after his emphatic slam. Black is averaging 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 46.5 percent from the field.

The Magic (23-18) obviously count on Banchero and Berlin’s own Franz Wagner to lead the way, but the former Arkansas standout would likely be instrumental to Orlando’s potential rise in the Eastern Conference. He will enjoy this moment and try to break out some more heroics in the squad’s London showdown with Memphis this Sunday afternoon.

The post Anthony Black’s jaw-dropping dunk over 4 defenders has NBA world going wild appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Sources say that the Magic have called several teams to explore the prospect of swapping reserve guard Tyus Jones for some second-round draft capital,” Fischer reported. “Such a move would be motivated by luxury tax concerns with the Magic’s payroll only rising after recent contract extensions for Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs and their significant offseason trade to acquire Desmond Bane.”

Jones, 29, signed with Orlando last offseason on a one-year, $7 million contract after establishing himself as a steady backcourt option in recent years. Over the previous two seasons, Jones averaged more than 10 points and five assists per game while shooting 41.4 percent from three-point range. That production has not carried over in his first season with the Magic.

Through 40 games, including eight starts, Jones is averaging 3.2 points and 2.4 assists in 16.5 minutes per contest. Those figures represent his second-lowest scoring and assist averages since the 2016-17 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is shooting 35.3 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from beyond the arc, numbers that have limited his impact in Orlando’s rotation.

Magic weigh cost-saving move as long-term core extensions raise payroll

The financial motivation behind a potential move is tied closely to the Magic’s long-term commitments. The franchise has invested heavily in its core, beginning with Paolo Banchero, who signed a five-year, $239 million maximum rookie extension that could reach $287 million through the 2030-31 season, including a player option in the final year.

Jalen Suggs agreed to a five-year, $150.5 million rookie extension in October 2024, while Franz Wagner received a five-year, $224 million extension in July 2024 that could climb to $269 million. Orlando’s payroll was further elevated by its offseason trade for Desmond Bane, who is in the midst of a five-year, $207 million maximum extension signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2023.

With those deals on the books, the Magic appear focused on preserving flexibility while remaining competitive. Moving Jones for future second-round assets would offer modest financial relief without disrupting the team’s core rotation.

On the court, Orlando (22-18) is preparing for its NBA Global Series schedule, opening with a matchup against Memphis (17-22) on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video in Berlin, Germany. The two teams will meet again Sunday at 12:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video in London, United Kingdom, as the Magic continue balancing short-term results with long-term financial planning.

The post The money-saving trade Magic are seeking to correct offseason mistake appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Rivers addressed the topic on a recent episode of Off Guard with Austin Rivers, pointing to how team success in games without a star can unintentionally shape narratives and scrutiny. He emphasized that players are aware of online conversations and that prolonged criticism can influence confidence, energy, and on-court approach.

“The Paolo thing’s gotta be talked about, bro. I’m a big fan of the kid. I love Paolo. I genuinely think that when a team has success without their best player, it just causes something. It’s not Paolo’s fault. It happens to the best of players. Fans need to be careful about how they talk about their players. They think we don’t hear. They think we don’t see. They think we don’t go on our Twitter or Instagram after every game. And then they get sh**y when a player like Paolo starts playing with a certain energy about him – like he don’t want to be there.”

Banchero, the 23-year-old former Rookie of the Year and one-time All-Star, has seen his scoring dip this season. Through 30 games, he is averaging 20.9 points, down from a career-high 25.9 points last season, along with 8.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He is shooting 45.3 percent from the field and a career-low 25.2 percent from three-point range while logging 33.7 minutes per contest.

I agree with @AustinRivers25 here, but also to be fair a lot of the noise and narrative around about Paolo is coming from OUTSIDE of Orlando.

There’s certainly criticism and questions from within, but majority of the hate is other fan bases trying to tear him down. pic.twitter.com/3IAfFbgiVR

— The Lando (@TheLando__) January 15, 2026

Orlando holds a 22–18 record, sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Magic are set to play two international games against the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the NBA Global Games series, tipping off Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video in Berlin, Germany, followed by a Sunday matchup at 12:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video in London, United Kingdom.

Austin Rivers cautions Magic fans as scrutiny around Paolo Banchero grows

The contrast in results has fueled discussion locally. Orlando is 7–3 in games without Banchero this season and 15–15 when he is in the lineup, a split Rivers referenced while cautioning against drawing conclusions from short-term stretches.

“It’s not the same Paolo Banchero I know. He shoots a lot of contested tough twos. He doesn’t have that same bop in his game. You can see he’s frustrated. He’s always looking at the refs. His body language is not great. You feel it. It’s a thing that everyone talks about in Orlando. It’s like, ‘Man, we need to get off of Paolo. We need to trade Paolo.’”

Rivers said the reaction has created a feedback loop between fan discourse and on-court performance.

“Y’all need to be careful with that sh*t because players see it, they feel it. And then something that was never nothing becomes something and I’m not putting this all on the fans of Orlando. Paolo has blame in this too. And this isn’t something that can’t be undone. Winning cures all. They win five in a row, no one gives a f**k about any of this. When he hit the game winner and banked it off the glass the other night, I didn’t hear nobody talk about trade Paolo that night. His team has success without him. It happens, it’s a good thing. It means you got a good team – it created something, though. Fans started that sh*t, it was everywhere in Orlando. It matters man and just like fans bring the energy for a game – they call fans the sixth man. Bro, that stuff, it translates on the other side too.”

Rivers framed the situation as a reminder that momentum, winning, and patience often reshape narratives, while sustained scrutiny can amplify temporary struggles during an NBA season.

The post Paolo Banchero-Magic fans discourse gets stark warning from Austin Rivers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As Orlando (22-18) readies for its international matchup against Memphis (17-22) on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video in Berlin, Germany, Bane explained why the trip stirred disappointment despite the global spotlight. He spoke to media on Wednesday in a video snippet shared on X by Grind City Media.

“Honestly, I was a little upset just cause I wanted to go back to Memphis,” Bane said. “I still got family there, I got people that are staying there you know, so it would’ve been nice to go back over there, spend time with them and catch up with them, but everything happens for a reason and I think that it’s good that it’s over here for both the Magic and the Grizzlies.”

The 27-year-old guard was traded from Memphis to Orlando last summer in a blockbuster deal, ending a productive run with the franchise that drafted him. The Berlin game marks the first time Bane will face his former team, though not in the FedExForum setting he initially hoped for.

Bane added that the international stage carries broader meaning for both organizations.

“A chance for us to continue to grow our brand and we’re in Franz, Moe’s hometown, Tristan’s home country so it’s special for everybody involved,” he said. “I’m glad that two months into the season that we’re over here.”

“Honestly, I was a little upset just because I wanted to go back to Memphis.”

Desmond Bane on the Magic having to face the Grizzlies in Europe instead of Memphis

(via @grindcitymedia)pic.twitter.com/Xb8NJp7fM9

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 14, 2026

The reference to Berlin underscores the hometown ties of Magic forwards Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner, and Tristan da Silva, adding another layer of significance to the matchup.

Desmond Bane reflects on Magic-Grizzlies meeting in Berlin amid evolving context

On the court, Bane has settled into a central role in Orlando during his first season with the Magic. Through 40 games, he is averaging 19.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from three-point range in 33.8 minutes per contest.

Beyond the setting, the matchup arrives amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding former teammate Ja Morant. Bane addressed Morant’s situation earlier this week in comments to Joe Vardon of The Athletic as trade speculation intensified ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.

“You wrap your arms around anybody that’s got that type of spotlight or anything like that going on with him,” Bane said. “Ja just wants to play basketball and be in a place where he feels valued. And, hopefully, if it doesn’t happen in Memphis, he gets that, you wherever his next stop is.”

Morant, a two-time All-Star and former NBA Most Improved Player, has been the subject of extensive trade chatter following a turbulent start to the season for the Grizzlies. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported last Friday that Memphis has begun considering trade offers for the guard as the deadline approaches.

“For the first time, the Memphis Grizzlies are entertaining offers to potentially move two-time All-Star Ja Morant ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote.

Following Thursday’s contest in Berlin, the Magic and Grizzlies will meet again Sunday in London at 12:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video, closing a two-city international series that blends global exposure with unresolved roster questions and evolving franchise directions on both sides.

The post Why Magic star Desmond Bane is ‘upset’ about facing Grizzlies in Berlin appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Orlando (22-18) opens its Global Games back-to-back against Memphis (17-22) at 2:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video. Wagner’s clearance comes after a 16-game absence caused by a high ankle sprain suffered Dec. 7 in a 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks. He exited that game seven minutes in after recording seven points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

The Magic’s injury report issued Wednesday morning listed only Jalen Suggs (right knee MCL contusion) and Colin Castleton (left thumb fracture) as out, confirming Wagner’s availability for the first time since early December. His return restores a central piece of Orlando’s rotation as the club continues to hold position above .500 entering the midpoint of the season.

Before the injury, Wagner had been among the Magic’s most consistent performers. The 24-year-old is averaging 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range across 24 appearances. He has logged 33.4 minutes per contest and remained a primary option on both ends of the floor.

Wagner brothers set to play as Magic face Grizzlies in Berlin

The timing of Wagner’s return adds significance given the setting. Berlin is Wagner’s hometown, and the matchup represents a rare opportunity to play an NBA regular-season game in front of a home-country crowd. That storyline extends to his brother, Moritz Wagner, who also does not appear on the injury report and is set to play alongside Franz in Germany.

Moritz Wagner recently made his season debut after recovering from an ACL tear suffered last December. He contributed eight points, two rebounds, and two assists in Orlando’s 128-118 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, marking another step forward for the Magic’s frontcourt depth.

Both Wagner brothers are Berlin natives who developed through the Alba Berlin youth system and played for the club’s senior team before attending Michigan. Their availability positions Orlando to feature both players on the floor in their home country as part of the league’s international showcase.

Following Thursday’s contest, the Magic and Grizzlies will meet again Sunday at 12:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video in London, concluding Orlando’s European swing.

The post Franz Wagner off Magic’s injury report, will make return vs. Grizzlies in Berlin appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Grizzlies traded Bane to the Magic in the offseason in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and a bunch of draft picks. It was panned by experts, saying the Magic gave up too much. Bane, however, has proven that he is a solid addition, averaging 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.

One would think that the 27-year-old shooter is eager to have his revenge game against the Grizzlies for disposing of him. But it is not the case.

“I was hoping it’s gonna be in Memphis. It’s still really cool, really special to be able to play against them and share a court with some friends and family. It’s very special,” said Bane in a video posted by the NBA.

"It's still really cool… to be able to play against them and share a court with some friends, and family. It's very special."

Ahead of the NBA's first-ever regular season game in Berlin, Desmond Bane reflects on his time in Memphis, and what it'll be like to take the court… pic.twitter.com/WzEUFBFjWj

— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2026

Bane also had a brief chat with former teammates, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaylen Wells, during Memphis’ practice.

Desmond Bane reunites with his former team

Bane faces the Grizzlies for the first time at the NBA Berlin Game presented by Tissot!

Thursday, 2pm/et, Prime pic.twitter.com/6hz4HjeLO3

— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2026

Bane was drafted by the Boston Celtics as the 30th overall pick in 2020 but eventually landed on the Grizzlies after a three-team trade that also involved the Portland Trail Blazers. While he was largely unknown, he quickly found a role in Memphis and became a dependable two-way player.

In five seasons with the Grizzlies, he averaged 17.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals, helping the team reach the playoffs multiple times.

The Magic and the Grizzlies are coming off wins after beating the New Orleans Pelicans and the Brooklyn Nets, respectively, on Sunday.

The post Magic’s Desmond Bane gets 100% real about playing against Grizzlies appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Bane, who was traded this past summer and now helps lead the 22‑18 Magic, spoke with The Athletic’s Joe Vardon about Morant’s situation and the speculation that Memphis may be moving closer to a blockbuster decision.

“You wrap your arms around anybody that’s got that type of spotlight or anything like that going on with him,” Bane said.

“Ja just wants to play basketball and be in a place where he feels valued. And, hopefully, if it doesn’t happen in Memphis, he gets that, you wherever his next stop is.”

Morant, a two‑time All‑Star and former NBA Most Improved Player, has been the subject of extensive trade chatter following a tumultuous start to the season for the Grizzlies. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported last Friday that the organization has begun to consider trade offers for the guard as the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline approaches.

“For the first time, the Memphis Grizzlies are entertaining offers to potentially move two‑time All‑Star Ja Morant ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote.

While neither Morant nor Grizzlies officials have publicly commented on the report, questions about Morant’s future have followed the team through recent losses and internal friction. The Grizzlies, who entered their European swing with a 17‑22 record, have struggled to maintain consistency, and the possibility of a Morant trade — long considered unlikely by some analysts — now appears more real.

Desmond Bane addresses Ja Morant trade talk ahead of Magic-Grizzlies game in Berlin

Despite the ongoing speculation, Morant’s immediate focus for Memphis remains on the court. He missed the team’s last few games due to a right groin issue, but Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo offered a hopeful update regarding Morant’s availability for the Berlin matchup.

“We are not in the business of commenting on random internet reports,” Iisalo said. “He’s progressing in the practices. He’s already able to do a lot of the parts of practice, so looking good to progress (toward playing).”

Pressed specifically on the chances Morant will play Thursday, Iisalo said:
“There is a chance he will play in the global games.”

Morant’s potential return adds an intriguing wrinkle to a series of games that serve as part of the NBA’s effort to expand its global footprint. The Grizzlies will also face the Magic again in London on Sunday, offering teams and fans in Europe two chances to see American professional basketball at the highest level.

For Bane, the focus remains on competition and support for players navigating the pressures of professional basketball. His comments highlighted both a connection to Morant’s journey and the understanding that the league’s business side can bring uncertainty for even its biggest stars.

As both the Magic and Grizzlies prepare for their international tilt, the Morant story continues to evolve, with the specter of a trade looming as the deadline draws nearer and each game becomes increasingly significant for both franchise and player futures.

The post Magic’s Desmond Bane breaks silence on Grizzlies moving closer to Ja Morant trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Magic (22-18) are set to face the Memphis Grizzlies in back-to-back matchups in Europe as part of the NBA’s Global Games series, beginning Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video in Berlin, Germany. Wagner, who has been sidelined for more than a month, acknowledged the possibility of returning in front of his home country while stopping short of making a commitment.

Wagner spoke with Joe Vardon of The Athletic ahead of the team’s overseas practices.

“I want to see how today and tomorrow go at practice,” Franz said. “Obviously I really want to play, it’s really important, but I don’t want to make any promises.”

Wagner has missed Orlando’s last 16 games after suffering a high ankle sprain on Dec. 7 during a 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks. He exited that contest just seven minutes in, finishing with seven points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal before being ruled out.

Franz Wagner teases injury return vs. Grizzlies in Berlin

Prior to the injury, Wagner had been one of Orlando’s most consistent performers this season. The 24-year-old is averaging 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range across 24 appearances. He has logged 33.4 minutes per game and remained a central figure in the Magic’s offense when available.

Orlando has navigated Wagner’s absence while continuing to stay above .500, entering the Global Games stretch with momentum and an opportunity to expand its international profile. The potential return of Wagner in Berlin would add another layer of significance to the matchup, given his ties to the city.

Those ties extend beyond Wagner himself. His brother, Moritz Wagner, recently made his season debut after recovering from an ACL tear suffered last December. Moritz recorded eight points, two rebounds, and two assists in Orlando’s 128-118 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.

Both brothers are natives of Berlin and developed through the Alba Berlin youth system before playing professionally for the club and later attending college at Michigan.

Following Thursday’s game, the Magic and Grizzlies will meet again Sunday at 12:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video in London, continuing Orlando’s international road swing.

The post Will Franz Wagner return from lengthy injury absence in Berlin? Magic star teases possibility appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports indicate that the 28-year-old center will make his 2025-26 season debut against the Pelicans, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. It will be Wagner’s first game back since suffering a torn ACL in December 2024.

“Orlando Magic forward Moe Wagner will make his season debut in Sunday’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN. Wagner was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate a season ago, prior to his torn ACL last December, averaging 12.9 PPG and 4.9 RPG. Key return.”

Before the ACL tear, Wagner was playing extremely well off the bench for the Magic. He was in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year award. His 12.9 PPG and 4.9 PPG were his career bests. He was also shooting 56.2% from the floor and 36.0% from beyond the three-point line. Both of which were career highs.

It’s unclear how much playing time the seven-year veteran will receive in his first game back from injury. However, he should at least mix in playing time with Goga Bitadze as the backup center behind Wendell Carter Jr.

Wagner’s return comes at an opportune time for the Magic. Orlando enters Sunday’s game with a 21-18 record, which ties them in seventh place with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. Moe Wagner will have about a month of playing time before the NBA All-Star Weekend, which should allow him to readjust to the lineup and bounce back from his injury.

The post Magic center Moe Wagner to make season debut vs. Pelicans appeared first on ClutchPoints.

McCollum is already 34 years old and well past his prime. At first glance, he seems like a major downgrade for Atlanta’s backcourt, both in the short and long term. Kispert is a great 3-point shooter, but he is just a role player who averages 9.2 points per game. The Hawks didn’t receive a single draft pick in this deal, which is unheard of in superstar trades these days. It shows that the Hawks simply wanted off Young’s contract because they think they are better without him.

Still, fans can’t help but think that it is an incredibly underwhelming trade return. After all, the Oklahoma product has four All-Star nods to his name. He has led the league in total assists three times, as well as total points one of those years. His defensive flaws and physical shortcomings limit Young greatly, but he is still clearly one of the best 3-point shooters and playmakers in the entire NBA. He even led the Hawks to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance before.

There were a number of teams that made sense as a trade destination for Young, but clearly he wanted to play in Washington, and it is evident that the Hawks didn’t receive many, if any, enticing trade offers. Considering his minuscule trade value, what underwhelming hypothetical trade proposals would have actually been better than the deal the Hawks received from the Wizards?

Trail Blazers could have traded for Trae Young

Just days before Young was traded to the Wizards, ClutchPoints theorized a deal to the Trail Blazers. In that proposal, the Hawks ended up with Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, a first-round pick, and three second-round picks. As it turns out, that would have been a massive overpay. Grant is averaging 20-plus points per game for the fourth time in his career, and Henderson was a recent number three overall pick who still has tons of potential. Not to mention, this would have been a decent chunk of draft capital for the Hawks to receive.

Instead, the Trail Blazers could have traded just Grant and Robert Williams and still have bested Washington’s offer. Williams plays sparingly and has struggled with injuries his whole career. This would have made for an eventual backcourt of Young, Henderson, Damian Lillard, and Jrue Holiday. That is an unfathomable amount of guard talent on one roster.

It isn’t like the Trail Blazers wouldn’t have still had plenty of forward and big man help, either. Young and Lillard would have lit up the scoreboard from deep, and the rest of Portland’s roster could have covered for him on defense. Holiday and Toumani Camara, for example, are elite point-of-attack defenders, and Donovan Clingan is a great rim protector. Injuries have led to the point guard spot being a weakness for the Trail Blazers right now. With Young, they’d have been stacked there.

Milwaukee Bucks could’ve paired Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo

For years, the Milwaukee Bucks have exhausted resources to try to build a contender around Giannis Antetokounmpo. It hasn’t worked, and considering the Bucks are basically out of assets, it was assumed that the team wouldn’t have enough to make a competitive offer for Young.

Young’s shooting and spacing would fit well in a lineup featuring Antetokounmpo. Although the Greek Freak has been listed as a trade candidate himself, the Bucks could have tried to make a Young-Antetokounmpo duo work. The Lillard and Antetokounmpo combination failed, but injuries and Lillard’s regression played big parts in that flop. Things could have been different with another sharpshooting guard with playmaking skills being Antetokounmpo’s right-hand man.

The Bucks could have traded Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, and Gary Harris for Young. This last-ditch effort to keep Antetokounmpo around could have paid off, especially in this season in which the Eastern Conference is wide open.

Orlando Magic needed more shooting

The Orlando Magic are another team that would have made sense as a fit for Young, but one that likely wouldn’t have wanted to trade much future capital. Orlando traded four first-round picks and a pick swap in the offseason deal for Desmond Bane, so further depleting their draft capital would have been risky.

If the Magic had known that just a couple of role players would have been enough to get a deal done, then they probably would have done it. The contracts of Jalen Suggs, Goga Bitadze, and Jett Howard would have matched Young’s salary. Bitadze is a backup big, and Howard looks like a draft bust, so losing them wouldn’t have hurt Orlando too much.

Suggs is a talented player, so trading him would have been a tougher pill to swallow. However, the guard just can’t seem to get healthy, and the Magic need more reliable players. Furthermore, the Magic’s biggest weakness has long been 3-point shooting, and Young is one of the best deep ball options in the NBA. His playmaking prowess would have also been beneficial on a team full of bigs and slashers.

Miami Heat had enough to trade for Trae Young

Not very many teams have role players who cost enough that they could have been used in a trade for Young. The Wizards did in the form of McCollum’s contract, so they were able to make the money work for a trade. The Miami Heat are another team that has pricey role players who could have been used to acquire Young, meaning they could have added an All-Star-caliber point guard without giving up much from their rotation.

Terry Rozier, Davion Mitchell, and Simone Fontecchio would have been enough to make the money work in a Heat-Hawks trade. Of course, it isn’t clear whether Rozier is trade-eligible, as he is being investigated in a sports gambling case. If the Heat could have gotten off his contract, though, they certainly would have been thrilled to do so.

Fontecchio is a 3-point threat, ala Kispert, and Mitchell is a starting-caliber guard, so he could have been the McCollum part of the equation here. Miami has been looking for a third star to pair with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro ever since Jimmy Butler requested a trade. That star might have been right in front of their faces had they traded with the Hawks.

The post 4 pathetic Trae Young trade proposals that would have been better than the Wizards deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Magic took to their X (formerly known as Twitter), leaning into the moment with a playful response after the final buzzer by posting an image of Kevin Durant’s foot on the line from the 2021 playoffs, drawing a pointed comparison as fans debated the legitimacy of Banchero’s game-winner.

you guys wanna hear the song?? pic.twitter.com/loehUL9Zk6

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 8, 2026

In addition to claims from BrickCenter that Banchero’s foot was on the line, The Lando took to the platform as well, sharing a zoomed-in image of his foot behind the three-point line as the debate continued online.

via @_tonyhuynh https://t.co/CfomMXIrzy pic.twitter.com/EdyCwdnTzI

— The Lando (@TheLando__) January 8, 2026

Banchero’s shot and the ensuing response quickly went viral, shifting attention from officiating debate to Orlando’s growing confidence both on and off the floor. The moment served as a reminder of the Magic’s recent success against Brooklyn, a stretch that has now spanned more than two seasons and eight consecutive wins.

Beyond the social media moment, the third-year superstar’s performance underscored his continued emergence as the centerpiece of the Magic. His 30-point, 14-rebound outing came in a high-leverage environment and helped the team rebound from a recent loss vs. the Washington Wizards. As Orlando pushes forward in the Eastern Conference race, the late-game execution and willingness to embrace the spotlight reflected a team growing comfortable in pressure situations.

For the Magic, the response capped a night that combined execution, momentum, and personality. What began as a contested finish ultimately reinforced Orlando’s belief in its star and its direction, both of which continue to gain traction as the season unfolds.

The post Magic with savage clap-back to Nets fans salty over Paolo Banchero’s game-winner appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Even so, he could thrive in the right situation, and a new team seems inevitable. Young and the Hawks are working together to find a trade partner. Young immediately becomes one of the top trade candidates ahead of the NBA trade deadline, but where are his best fits?

6. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have been looking for a third star to pair with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro ever since Jimmy Butler requested a trade out of town. Young would be a great fit for the team. The Heat’s highest-paid point guard is Terry Rozier, but he has been out due to a gambling investigation.

That has left Davion Mitchell to take the vast majority of the point guard minutes. Mitchell is a stifling defender, and his gritty playstyle perfectly fits the Heat’s culture. Young would provide the yin to Mitchell’s yang as an offensive superstar. The Eastern Conference is wide open with injuries to players such as Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum, so the Heat should be aggressive in improving the roster. Right now, Miami is in seventh place in their conference, but they are only three wins shy of the second-placed Boston Celtics.

5. Phoenix Suns

Another team in recent memory that lost some of their superstar talent is the Phoenix Suns. The team moved on from both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in the offseason. The Suns didn’t have enough touches to go around with those two teamed up with Devin Booker, but now Phoenix could actually use a boost on the offensive end.

Young would bring a dose of playmaking that is missing on this roster while also adding another 3-point threat. Phoenix has exceeded expectations this year by playing with attitude and physicality. Young doesn’t necessarily fit this style of play, but he is a competitor, and perhaps his defensive shortcomings could be masked by a solid defensive team.

Dillon Brooks is one of the league’s most notorious enforcers. He’d always have Young’s back, which is important because Young is known to get into it with opposing players.

4. Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets had the best offseason in the NBA. They traded for Kevin Durant and Clint Capela in the biggest trade in NBA history, and they signed Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie in free agency. Furthermore, Houston re-signed Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet, Aaron Holiday, Jae’Sean Tate, and Jeff Green.

The team’s roster was loaded, but point guard was viewed as perhaps the biggest weakness coming into the year. Things got even worse when VanVleet tore his ACL during training camp. The Rockets are all in on winning while Durant is still playing at a high level, so they should be willing to replace VanVleet’s role, despite the fact that Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson have performed well in the backcourt.

Thompson would perhaps still be best playing at the two rather than being used as the lead guard, and Sheppard will have growing pains during his first year in the rotation. Young, meanwhile, would work wonders as a facilitator on a team with tons of size. He could kick the ball out to shooters like Durant and Sheppard, he could feed interior players like Alperen Sengun and Clint Capela, and slashers such as Thompson would benefit from his playmaking. Additionally, Young is an elite 3-point shooter, and the Rockets could use a dose of outside shooting and spacing, given that Sengun and Thompson are so good inside.

It would likely take the contracts of VanVleet, Adams, and Tari Eason to get this done, as well as a number of draft picks. The Rockets would have to be okay with losing what VanVleet can offer next year if they got a replacement of Young’s caliber, and they still have plenty of draft picks to trade. Ime Udoka instills a defensive mindset that could help Young become competent on that end, too.

3. Orlando Magic

Priority number one for the Orlando Magic in recent years has been adding 3-point shooters. That was most evident when they traded four first-round picks and more to acquire Desmond Bane in the offseason. Bane has helped, but the Magic are still subpar as a team from deep, so they shouldn’t stop adding snipers who would fit well alongside slashers such as Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

The Magic have struggled to take the next step forward. While they’d sacrifice some of the length and defense that they so covet by bringing in the Hawks guard, the addition of Young would be more than worth it. Not only would he single-handedly fix Orlando’s 3-point problem, but his playmaking would greatly improve the offense, too. Jalen Suggs is too often hurt to be relied upon, and Young is young enough to be the long-term answer at point guard.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have arguably the biggest need for a point guard in the NBA, and the team has been no stranger to making superstar trades in recent years. Minnesota has made the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons, but getting to the next level might be impossible with the status of the team’s point guard position.

The players who have taken up minutes at the position are Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham, Bones Hyland, and Donte DiVincenzo. Conley is well past his prime, Dillingham has yet to live up to his pre-draft hype, and DiVincenzo would be best off playing the shooting guard spot. Hyland has been solid as of late, but even he was on a two-way contract not long ago.

A backcourt of Young and Anthony Edwards would be quite explosive. Minnesota is also another team with enough defense to cover for Young’s flaws.

1. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have already been linked as the frontrunners to trade for Young. The team has been adding draft prospects as part of a rebuild for quite some time now, but at some point, they are going to have to make the moves that will help them get into playoff contention.

While some have questioned Young’s ability to play winning basketball at the championship level, there is no question that he’d be a floor raiser for a bad team like the Wizards. He’d help the team get better right now, but he could also help in the development of Washington’s young talent.

Young has led the league in assists per game three times, and his ability to get his teammates involved would help the youngsters get better looks.

The post 6 best Trae Young trade destinations with Hawks ready to move on appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The league has informed teams that players are no longer permitted to wear headbands around their necks — often styled like a choker — during games. The clarification effectively ends the brief trend after Suggs popularized the look earlier this season.

Suggs addressed the origin of the accessory in comments shared by Orlando Sentinel reporter Jason Beede, offering a lighthearted explanation rooted in his football background.

“It’s funny. I don’t even know if there’s an explanation for it,” Suggs said.

“Really, it originates as football drip — that’s where it stems from. But I don’t know, there really isn’t much else to it. I wear it on my neck, and once I get into the game, into the flow, I put it on my head and we rock.”

NBA’s headband ruling surfaces amid Jalen Suggs’ injury absence

The clarification from the league surfaced publicly during Orlando’s 121-114 loss to the Chicago Bulls last Friday. During the broadcast, Magic reporter Kendra Douglas explained that Suggs had already been contacted by the NBA regarding the adjustment.

“Jalen said he got word from the league that the headband needs to be on the head at tip-off,” Douglas said.

While the accessory itself drew attention, the decision does not appear to be disciplinary in nature. Rather, it reflects the NBA’s continued emphasis on uniform compliance and standardized equipment usage at the start of games.

Kendra Douglas mentions that the league told Jalen Suggs that the headband must be on his head to begin basketball games pic.twitter.com/ap3UqPKyKf

— The Magic Way (@MagicFilmRoom) January 3, 2026

Suggs, 24, has been sidelined recently after suffering the Grade 1 MCL contusion during the Magic’s loss to Chicago. The injury occurred as he drove to the basket late in the third quarter, and his return remains dependent on how he responds to treatment. Prior to the setback, Suggs had just returned to the lineup following an earlier absence.

Despite the league ruling, the headband moment added another layer to Suggs’ growing on-court identity, blending competitive edge with personality. For now, however, the “football drip” will remain off the floor as the Magic guard focuses on rehabilitation and a return to action under the NBA’s clarified guidelines.

The post Magic guard Jalen Suggs’ ‘football drip’ neck headband gambit banned by NBA appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Williams shared his perspective on the latest episode of FanDuel’s Run It Back, citing Orlando’s established culture and roster construction as a strong fit.

“I like Orlando. That sounds like the best option to me,” Williams said.

Williams expanded on that view by emphasizing the importance of joining a team with an identity already in place rather than reshaping one from scratch.

“Orlando sounds like the best option and like you guys said, when you get him around a [Jamahl Mosley] Mose and a team that already has their own culture that Trae Young isn’t building, you gotta step in and you gotta buy in to what’s already being built,” Williams said.

“This is not your group. You’re coming in to add value to a group like that.”

“Orlando sounds like the best option for Trae Young.” – Lou Williams

Chandler Parsons suggests Jalen Suggs & Anthony Black as assets that could help the Magic trade for Trae @MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/zyEbce6bQI

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 6, 2026

Lou Williams, Chandler Parsons see Magic as ideal fit for Trae Young

Williams added that such a situation could allow Young to thrive within clear expectations.

“When you go to another franchise and they’re already building culture and are telling you, ‘hey, this is how we operate around here and these are the things that we need for you to be successful for us,’ that’s going to be one of the best scenarios that Trae Young can possibly be in,” Williams said.

Former NBA forward Chandler Parsons echoed the sentiment later in the segment, pointing to Orlando’s depth and financial flexibility.

“And the thing about Orlando: Jalen Suggs just signed a big deal. They have Anthony Black who’s kinda turned the corner. They have pieces outside [Franz] Wagner and Paolo [Banchero] to make this happen,” Parsons said.

Parsons also dismissed the idea of Young landing with Washington amid ongoing rumors.

“There’s no way Trae Young wants to go to Washington. It’s a worse situation than he’s in now. It’s a way worse franchise. It makes no sense,” Parsons said.

“There’s no way Trae Young wants to go to Washington. It’s a worse situation than he’s in now. It’s a way worse franchise. It makes no sense.” @ChandlerParsons top suitors for Trae:
– Dallas
– Orlando
– Portland
– Phoenix@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/83MggtJaGE

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 6, 2026

Earlier in the discussion, Parsons highlighted Orlando’s coaching structure as another reason the fit could work.

“When I look at Trae Young and look at teams – I don’t hate Orlando because you have a Jamahl Mosley, tough defensive minded coach where you have Franz Wagner and Paolo that could be the one and two,” Parsons said.

“I think he’d buy in.”

Hawks’ outlook, contracts frame potential trade framework

Young, 27, is averaging 19.3 points, 8.9 assists, 1.5 rebounds and one steal per game while shooting 41.5% from the field and 30.5% from three-point range across 10 games as Atlanta has opened the season 17-21. He is earning $45.9 million this season as part of a five-year, $215.1 million contract that includes a $48.9 million player option for the 2026–27 season.

One potential trade piece could be Jalen Suggs, who signed a five-year, $150.5 million extension with Orlando in October 2024 and is making $35 million this season. The 24-year-old guard is currently dealing with a right knee Grade 1 MCL contusion suffered against the Chicago Bulls. Through 23 games, Suggs is averaging 15 points, four assists, 3.7 rebounds and a career-high 1.9 steals per game while shooting 47.1% from the field and 33.1% from three.

Orlando could also structure a deal around its 21-year-old guard enjoying a breakout third season. He is averaging 15.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 35% from three across 36 games, including 16 starts. He is in the third year of his four-year, $32.9 million rookie contract and earning $7.9 million this season.

For now, Orlando (20-16) will look to build off its recent 135-127 win over the Indiana Pacers and open a two-game road trip Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards (9-25) at 7:00 p.m. ET. Atlanta will host the New Orleans Pelicans (8-29) on Wednesday night before beginning a four-game road trip Friday against the Denver Nuggets (24-12).

The post NBA rumors: Lou Williams loves Magic as best Trae Young trade option appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Black is going through his third season in the NBA with the Magic, having a breakout season with his best offensive numbers to date. Often coming off the bench, he has earned a bigger role in the offense as he’s embraced the responsibilities.

That much was the case when he started in Orlando’s matchup against Indiana. In 36 minutes of action, he finished with a stat line of 27 points, 10 assists, four blocks, three rebounds, and a steal. He shot 8-of-16 from the field, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.

His efforts made franchise history as a result. Black became the fifth player at age 21 or younger in Orlando’s history to have a game of 25 or more points and 10 or more assists, joining McGrady, Paolo Banchero, Victor Oladipo, and Cole Anthony.

How Anthony Black, Magic played against Pacers

Anthony Black continues to enjoy his breakout season as he helped the Magic secure a 135-127 win over the Pacers.

Orlando got off a slow start as Indiana initially led 36-28 after the first quarter. Despite this, they fired back with a 41-22 display in the second period, something that the Pacers never recovered from.

Free throws, stocks (steals and blocks) and turnovers made the difference in this matchup. The Magic prevailed in all three categories after making 26 free throws and recording 13 stocks while limiting their turnovers to just seven. It wasn’t the same for the Pacers as they converted 16 shots at the line, made six stocks, and committed 11 turnovers.

Six players scored in double-digits for Orlando in the win, including Black. Desmond Bane led the way with 31 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block. He shot 12-of-17 overall, including 3-of-6 from downtown, and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Paolo Banchero came next with 28 points and 12 rebounds, Jase Richardson had 12 points and four assists, while Tristan da Silva provided 10 points.

Orlando improved to a 20-16 record on the season, holding the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are even with the Miami Heat while trailing the Philadelphia 76ers by 0.5 games and Toronto Raptors by one game.

The Magic will look forward to their next matchup, being on the road. They face the Washington Wizards on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. ET.

The post Magic’s Anthony Black joins Tracy McGrady in extremely exclusive franchise club appeared first on ClutchPoints.

According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, Suggs underwent an MRI that revealed a right knee Grade 1 MCL contusion. The injury occurred during Friday night’s road loss to the Chicago Bulls, and the Magic indicated that Suggs’ return will depend on how he responds to treatment.

The update comes as Orlando (19-16) readies for a matchup against the Pacers (6-29) at 3:00 p.m. ET at Kia Center. Suggs had just recently returned to the lineup and appeared in the Magic’s last two games following a prior absence.

Suggs sustained the knee injury in Orlando’s 121-114 loss to Chicago on Friday. He exited early in the third quarter after driving to the basket for a layup attempt. Bulls forward Jalen Smith contested the shot and crashed to the floor on top of Suggs, who remained down briefly before being helped off the court. He did not return for the remainder of the contest.

Magic await clarity after Jalen Suggs’ latest injury setback

Before exiting, Suggs recorded 11 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal while shooting 4-for-6 from the field in 20 minutes. His efficiency and activity stood out during his limited time on the floor, though the injury once again interrupted his availability.

The setback marks another health-related pause for the 24-year-old guard, who has dealt with multiple interruptions over the past year. Despite those challenges, Suggs has remained a key contributor when available, particularly on the defensive end.

Through 23 games this season, Suggs is averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and a career-high 1.9 steals per game. He is shooting 47.1% from the field and 33.1% from three-point range while playing 25.4 minutes per contest, providing consistent two-way production in Orlando’s backcourt.

The Magic did not provide a specific timetable for Suggs’ return, leaving his status uncertain as the team looks to maintain momentum entering the second half of the season. Orlando will continue to evaluate his progress while preparing to face Indiana before beginning its next stretch of road games.

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