The German basketball world champion Franz Wagner led Orlando Magic to the first victory in the 2025 playoffs of the NBA.
Through the 95:93, the team around Wagner shortened the best-of-Seven series in the round of 16 against defending champion Boston Celtics to 1: 2, on the night of Monday (1:00 a.m./CET) there is another home game for Orlando.
2:31 minutes before the end it was 91:91 before Wagner brought the decision with two baskets. The 23-year-old was top scorer of the Magic with 32 points and also contributed seven rebounds and eight assists. His co-star Paolo Banchero also shone with 29 points, the Munich Tristan da Silva was not used again.
Wagner: “Our defense won the game”
“Our defense won the game,” said Wagner. In the third quarter, Orlando held the defending champion at eleven points, Wagner and Co. forced a total of 21 turnover. “We played like this all year round, and I think who plays more aggressive will win this series.”
With the two games from the regular season, it is now 3-0 in the home hall from the perspective of Orlando against the Celtics. Also, 36 points from Superstar Jayson Tatum, who last missed two with one hand injury, couldn’t change that.