In a thrilling display of skill and resilience, CJ McCollum played a pivotal role in guiding the Washington Wizards to a 120-112 victory over the Orlando Magic, particularly shining during a tense fourth quarter. McCollum netted an impressive 27 points, helping to stabilize a team that almost let slip away a commanding 26-point advantage.
Adding to the excitement, Alex Sarr contributed significantly with 23 points, showcasing the talent of this young and emerging Wizards squad, which has recently turned the tide, winning five out of their last seven games. After a rough start to the season with a record of 3-20, the Wizards have picked up momentum, now standing at 7-5 in their last twelve matchups.
However, the game was not without its challenges. The Wizards’ lack of experience became apparent after they surged ahead to an 89-63 lead following a three-pointer from Justin Champagnie late in the third quarter. As the game progressed, the Magic began to rally, cutting the Wizards’ lead down to just 14 points by the close of the period. In a shaky start to the fourth quarter, Washington struggled offensively, managing only two baskets out of ten attempts.
With 5:03 remaining in the game, Goga Bitadze’s layup brought the Magic tantalizingly close at 107-105, igniting hopes for what would be the largest comeback in franchise history. However, McCollum quickly countered, connecting with Sarr for an alley-oop and then hitting a mid-range jumper followed by a three-pointer, extending Washington's lead to nine points.
A subsequent three from McCollum solidified the Wizards' hold on the game, pushing the score to 117-107 with just 1:52 on the clock. Meanwhile, the Magic saw standout performances from reserve player Jase Richardson, who led his team with 20 points, and Desmond Bane, who added 15 points to the tally.
Despite these efforts, the Magic have struggled to find consistency, failing to win back-to-back games since their three-game winning streak from late November to early December. This was before they lost leading scorer Franz Wagner to a high ankle sprain, sidelining him for the past month. The team entered this matchup still leading the Southeast Division and holding a respectable sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic's struggles were compounded by the absence of another key player, Jalen Suggs, who is recovering from an MCL contusion sustained during a loss to Chicago on January 2. His coach, Jamahl Mosley, confirmed prior to the game that Suggs has yet to be cleared for any on-court activities.
Looking ahead, the Magic are set to face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, while the Wizards will take on the Philadelphia 76ers the same evening.
