Magic take down Bucks for 1st home win, improve to 2-0 in NBA Cup play

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Nov 13, 2026

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ORLANDO, Fla. — After failing to find a way to win on their homecourt in their first four tries of the regular season, the Magic knew they couldn’t wait any longer to capture their first home victory under coach Sean Sweeney inside Kia Center.

That’s why on Friday night against the Bucks, the Magic didn’t leave the final result up to chance.

Behind 35 points from Franz Wagner, Orlando won its third game in a row, 107-99 over the Bucks and improved to 2-0 in East Group A action of the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament.

Although the Bucks (1-12) had five scorers finish in double figures, including Jaime Jaquez Jr. with 22 points, the loss was Milwaukee’s ninth in a row and sixth overall on the road.

Friday’s game was the first time this season Orlando held an opponent to under 100 points.

After a quick stop at home, the Magic (5-7) head back on the road to face Boston on Monday.

Starting 5

Although Suggs returned from an eight-game absence because of a right knee bone bruise, Sweeney opted to start Anthony Black alongside Desmond Bane, Tristan da Silva, Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. against Milwaukee.

Wagner was patient in his process of driving to the paint and either looking to score or find teammates on the perimeter. From the 2:07 mark of the first quarter to the 4:35 mark of the second quarter, Wagner either scored or assisted on 24 straight points for Orlando, a stretch that included him on the bench for roughly four minutes.

In the first half alone, the German forward recorded 18 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Friday’s game marked his fourth straight scoring 30-plus points.

Black also helped distribute the ball recording three assists in the first five minutes of the game and eventually finishing with five.

Bane was a benefactor of both Black’s and Wagner’s assists as he found his footing from distance in the second half. Bane shot 1 for 2 from 3-point range in the first half but caught fire by knocking down five of his six long-range third-quarter attempts.

Bane, however, fouled out of the game with 1:36 left in the fourth quarter. He ended 6 for 10 from distance to notch 21 points in 35 minutes.

Da Silva also knocked down two 3-pointers in the first quarter but didn’t hit from 3-point range the rest of the game. Carter recorded 12 points and eight rebounds in 30 minutes.

Welcome back, Suggs

Suggs last played Oct. 25 at New York and Friday’s game was just his fourth appearance of the regular season.

Playing mostly four-minute stints, Suggs had a tough go at it, missing a number of a pull-up jump-shots.

Suggs shot 1 for 8 from the floor, including 1 of 6 from distance, to record three points, two rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes.

Paint points

Led by Wagner’s downhill efforts, the Magic penetrated the paint with success throughout the night.

In addition, Magic reserve center Goga Bitadze scored 10 of his first 12 points all off lob passes from teammates around the basket. He added two made free throws to total 12 points and four rebounds in 18 minutes.

On the other end of the floor, Orlando did a solid job of limiting Milwaukee’s opportunities to score near the basket. The Magic outscored the Bucks 44-26 in the paint.