Basketball world champions Franz and Moritz Wagner led the Orlando Magic to their second victory in the NBA’s second game of the season. Dennis Schröder, however, lost with the Toronto Raptors.
Franz Wagner became the Magic’s top scorer with 23 points in a 102:97 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday (October 27, 2023, local time), while his older brother Moritz contributed 17 points and nine rebounds.
National team captain Schröder suffered his first defeat with the Toronto Raptors, having ten points and ten assists in the 103:104 after overtime against the Chicago Bulls.
Doncic with 49 points
Luka Doncic once again achieved the outstanding individual performance of the match day. The Dallas Mavericks’ top star put up 49 points, ten rebounds and seven assists in the Mavs’ 125:120 win over the Brooklyn Nets. National player Maximilian Kleber collected five rebounds, but was unable to make a basket.
First win for Victor Wembanyama
The French prodigy Victor Wembanyama celebrated a much-noticed debut victory. The 19-year-old top pick really turned up the heat especially in the decisive phase against the Houston Rockets and had a total of 21 points and twelve rebounds in the San Antonio Spurs’ 126:122 overtime win – his first double-double in the strongest basketball league of the world.
“It’s just a win, but it’s a day I’ll remember,” said Wembanyama, who initially saved his team in extra time and then added: “I’m proud of what we did tonight .”
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was impressed by the youngster’s performance in his second NBA game: “He’s of course a fighter. He’s determined and will do anything to win. But that’s how they all are.”
Hartenstein wins with the Knicks
Defending champion Denver Nuggets, led by superstar Nikola Jokic (22 points, twelve rebounds), won their second win in the second game with a 108:104 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Isiah Hartenstein contributed eight points, two rebounds and one assist to the New York Knicks’ first win of the season (126:120 at the Atlanta Hawks).