Basketball
Orlando Magic are struggling in the NBA without injured Wagner
Franz Wagner has been injured for the Orlando Magic since the beginning of December. Without its top scorer, the team weakens – and also suffers a home defeat against Charlotte.
The Orlando Magic suffered another defeat in the NBA. Without the injured Wagner brothers, the team lost at home to the Charlotte Hornets 105:120 (48:57). German European basketball champion Tristan da Silva came off the bench and scored eight points.
Orlando is currently still on course for the playoffs, but has lost more games than it has won since Franz Wagner was injured at the beginning of December. The best thrower against Charlotte was Anthony Black with 24 points, while All-Star Paolo Banchero, among others, had a weak evening.
LaMelo Ball scored 22 points for the Hornets, and strong rookie Kon Knueppel seriously injured his ankle shortly before halftime.
Pistons lose in Utah
The Detroit Pistons, the best team in the Eastern Conference, suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz. Keyonte George hit the decisive throw to make it 131:129 for the Jazz with two seconds left. Detroit’s star player Cade Cunningham (29 points, 17 assists) again missed the winning goal at the final siren.
Records for Brown and Lopez
Jaylen Brown led the Boston Celtics to a clear 140:122 win over bottom team Indiana Pacers. For Brown, it was the eighth game in a row with at least 30 points – only NBA legend Larry Bird had achieved that for the Celtics before him.
Brook Lopez of the Los Angeles Clippers also had a remarkable evening. The 37-year-old center scored 31 points in a 119:103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers – and converted nine three-pointers in one game for the first time in his long career.
dpa
