Magic take down Bucks in Franz Wagner's return

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Feb 9, 2026

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ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic welcomed back Franz Wagner to Kia Center Monday, and his return sparked a big third quarter that boosted his team past the Milwaukee Bucks.

Orlando captured its third straight victory, 118-99, over the Bucks behind a combined 51 points from Anthony Black (26) and Desmond Bane (25).

The game swung in the direction of the Jamahl Mosley‘s squad when it outscored the Bucks 36-20 in the third quarter and took a 13-point lead entering the final quarter.

Before the third, the sides went back-and-forth in a contest that featured 15 lead changes and was tied nine times. Milwaukee took its last lead of the night two minutes into the second half but could only watch as Orlando took control from there.

Although Kevin Porter Jr. scored a game-high 28 points, Milwaukee (21-30) turned the ball for 20 times for 27 Orlando points.

The Magic (28-24) host the Bucks again Wednesday at Kia Center in their last game before the NBA All-Star break.

Starting 5

For the first time in his NBA career, Wagner did not start. That decision kept Black in the opening group alongside regulars Bane, Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.

Black got to the free throw line early (where he shot 6 for 7 in the first half) and made his first 3-pointer after missing his first four. He scored six straight points for the Magic early in the fourth, all on assists from Suggs.

Bane similarly penetrated the paint and scored a team-high 14 points before the break, ending with 20-plus points.

Where Bane and Black had early success on offense, the same couldn’t be said for Banchero. The Magic forward missed his first four shots from the floor and only scored three points at the free throw line by the half.

He totaled 11 points on 3-for-10 shooting and nine rebounds in 33 minutes.

Suggs made his presence felt on both ends, recording five steals and 10 assists with seven points in 27 minutes. It marked his second game in a row with at least four steals and third straight with at least three.

Carter, who was a late addition to the injury report due to left ankle soreness before he was made available, wasn’t as impactful with just four points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes, missing all four 3-pointers.

Welcome back Wagner

Wagner had started in his previous 317 games played with the Magic. Coming off the bench allowed Mosley to better control Wagner's minutes, who was on a “very strict” minutes restriction in his return from a nine-game absence managing a left high ankle sprain injury.

Playing in his first game since Jan. 18, the German forward attacked the basket and helped push the ball in transition while knocking off the rust of his missed time.

He played roughly 17 minutes, mostly in 4-to-5-minute stints throughout the night. He picked up his third foul with 37.5 seconds left in the second quarter.

In limited action, he knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to score 14 points with two rebounds and five assists. Older brother Moe Wagner added 14 points in 16 minutes.

Familiar face

Former Magic guard Gary Harris played his first game at Kia Center since signing with Milwaukee as a free agent in the offseason.

Harris, who spent part of five seasons in Orlando after he was acquired from Denver (2022-25), finished scoreless in 14 minutes. The team welcomed him back with a tribute video in the first quarter.

Paint points

Struggling from distance, the Magic relied on drives to the basket to generate offense early.

Orlando held a 16-0 advantage in paint points after the first quarter and held a 22-12 edge at the half.

The Bucks didn’t score in the paint until early in the second quarter and they were ultimately outscored 42-32 for the night.

Rookie watch

One of the first players off the bench was first-round pick Jase Richardson, who hit a 3-pointer and totaled five points in 17 minutes.

Noah Penda also scored five points with six rebounds.

Carter debut

New Magic guard Jevon Carter checked into the game with 4:10 left in the fourth quarter when he stepped onto the court for the first time since signing with Orlando on Friday. He missed three shots and had a rebound.

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