Magic rout visiting Wizards behind Paolo Banchero's 37 points

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Mar 3, 2026

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Entering Tuesday’s game against the Wizards, the Magic knew they’d already be without Franz Wagner, who is managing an extended rehab of a left high ankle sprain.

Then, in the hours leading up to tipoff, Orlando learned it would also be without Anthony Black (right quad contusion) for the second game in a row and Wendell Carter Jr. (left ankle soreness) while hosting Washington inside Kia Center.

Those absences, however, weren’t a problem for coach Jamahl Mosley’s squad as it used a big third quarter to help capture a 126-109 victory behind Paolo Banchero’s game-high 37 points.

Up three at the break, the Magic opened the third frame on a 12-2 run and ultimately outscored Washington 40-27 in the 12-minute stretch.

Dealing with a plethora of injuries themselves, the Wizards had only nine players available while playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

Washington (16-45) had trouble taking care of the ball as Orlando scored 23 points off 14 takeaways.

The Magic (32-28) wrap up their four-game homestand Thursday against the Mavericks.

Banchero’s big night

After taking just 10 shots from the floor against the Pistons, Banchero was more aggressive early.

Scoring 13 of the team’s first 21 points, Banchero scored 18 points in the first half on 7-for-10 shooting from the field.

Banchero kept it up in the second half, notching 30-plus points for eighth time this season. He added six assists and five rebounds.

Rest of starters

Without Wagner, Black and Carter, Mosley inserted Tristan da Silva and Goga Bitadze into the opening lineup alongside regulars Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane and Banchero against Washington.

Bitadze, who had fallen out of Orlando’s rotation as of late, last played Feb. 21 at Phoenix. Starting for just the second time this season, the Magic center notched nine points, six rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Bane (25 points) got going in the second by attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line. Behind an 8-for-8 start at the charity stripe, he notched 14 first-half points.

Bane sunk two 3-pointers in the third quarter to help notch 20-plus points for the 32nd time in a Magic uniform.

In his third game back from a back injury, Suggs was more selective attacking his spots on the floor, scoring 10 points on 5-for-9 shooting with a team-high nine assists in 27 minutes.

Difference from distance

After shooting 10 for 36 (27.8%) from 3-point range against the Pistons, the Magic had an up-and-down night from distance.

Banchero made the team’s lone 3-pointer in the first half as Orlando opened 1 for 11 from beyond the arc. Behind triples from Bane and da Silva, the Magic rebounded with a 5-for-7 showing in the third quarter to finish 10 for 25 (40%) on the night.

Washington wasn’t much better from the start, shooting 3 for 14 before the break and ending 7 for 32 (21.9%).