Orlando—On Wednesday night, Paolo Banchero led with 36 points, supported by Franz Wagner’s 21, as the Orlando Magic soared past the injury-plagued New York Knicks 118-100 in their last game before the All-Star break.

Banchero’s six 3-pointers contributed to the Magic’s impressive 63% shooting, while the Knicks, fielding only nine players, faced a tough challenge.

“He’s an All-Star. You’ve got to guard a guy like that with your team,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “And he made his 3s. That was a big thing. But he gets into the paint. He’s big, he’s strong and he has a good mix of shots.”

Jalen Brunson had 33 points and six assists for the Knicks. But after a big first quarter, the Knicks’ healthy All-Star saw his team was overmatched in a fourth straight loss

In the opening quarter, Brunson notched 20 points, propelling the Knicks to a 39-27 lead as Alec Burks kicked off the second quarter with a 3-pointer. However, with Brunson taking a breather on the bench, the Magic seized momentum, scoring 17 unanswered points—12 of which came from Franz and Moritz Wagner—taking control for the remainder of the game.

“I thought our starters did a really good job,” Thibodeau said. “We got into transition some so (Brunson) could attack before the defense got set. And then when he went to the bench, it changed.”

Upon returning to the court, Brunson found himself primarily defended by the 6-foot-10 Franz Wagner and 6-11 Jonathan Isaac, which posed challenges in finding clear scoring opportunities at the basket.

The Knicks were shorthanded, missing six players, notably All-Star forward Julius Randle, who sat out his ninth game due to a shoulder injury.

Donte DiVincenzo (sore hamstring), Bojan Bogdanovic (sore calf), and Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles tendon) were also sidelined just before the game. Thibodeau expressed optimism, anticipating the return of DiVincenzo, Bogdanovic, and Hartenstein after the break.

“This break is obviously good for us. We’re the walking wounded right now,” Brunson said. “But I’m more than happy with what we’ve been able to do in the first two-thirds of the season. So quick reset and be able to go next week.”

Heading into their eight-day break, the Knicks hold a 33-22 record.

The Magic are 30-25–in contrast to last year , when didn’t get their 30th win until March 31, and failed to reach 30 wins in the two preceding seasons.

Up next the Knicks will head to Philly on February 22nd to face off with the 76ers, as they attempt to right the ship.

For the latest New York Knicks, and NBA news follow @vinquezada1 on X.

By Vincent Quezada

Photos courtesy of AP/ Phelan M. Ebenhack

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