Franz Wagner, Jamal Mosley praise Tristan da Silva in win over Nets

The Orlando Magic secured their third straight win on Friday night, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 105–98 in the second NBA Cup match of the season. Franz Wagner and head coach Jamahl Mosley both highlighted the play of second-year forward Tristan da Silva, whose aggressiveness and confidence stood out in the the absence of All-Star forward Paolo Banchero.

Wagner led Orlando with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists while shooting 7-for-17 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free throw line over 37 minutes. Da Silva, starting in Bancher’s place, turned in his season-high 22 points, nine rebounds and assists, connecting on five of nine three-point attempts and finishing with a +15 plus/minus in 32 minutes.

Franz Wagner, Jamal Mosley highlight Tristan da Silva’s confidence and growth against Nets

Banchero was ruled out after MR on Thursday he revealed a left groin strain, creating an opportunity for Silva to enter the starting lineup. Wagner praised the young striker’s poise and determination, emphasizing that his confidence evolved rapidly since his rookie season.

“He’s playing great, super confident off the snap — I think that’s the type of player he is,” Wagner said. “We need him to be aggressive, not just shoot the ball, but just be aggressive and play his game and play exactly the way he did tonight and limit the mistakes and play through them. You see his potential, and I think he’s gotten a lot better than his freshman year. Super happy for him.”

Mosley echoed Wagner’s assessment, crediting Silva’s summer experience with the German national team as a turning point in his development.

“We just asked him to play since he won with the German team this year,” Mosley said. “His confidence level has gone up and that’s what we’ve been looking for from him — he’s not afraid of those big moments, he’s not afraid to play, and that’s what we’re going to continue to need from him. The swagger he plays with, that’s what we’re going to need from him.”

Tristan da Silva points out against BKN:

22 PTS
9 REB
8-14 FY
5 3PM
+15 +/- pic.twitter.com/8zUFZ3DTNF

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 15, 2025

Da Silva’s growing skill set adds another dimension to the Magic’s rotation

Da Silva’s growth has been evident not only in his shooting but also in his willingness to create off the dribble. The 24-year-old said expanding that part of his game is a major focus in his second season.

“It’s a part of the game that I’m also working on and trying to expand,” da Silva said. “Obviously, I showed a lot of my catching and shooting ability, but I feel like off the dribble is something that will help this team even more – being able to create for myself and for others. I’ll continue to work on that and I feel like that’s something that will develop over the next few months and years.”

With the win, the Magic improved to 7–6, moving above .500 for the first time since opening night against the Miami Heat on October 22. The team now embarks on a short road trip to face the Houston Rockets (8–3) on Sunday night at 7:00 PM ET before returning to the Kia Center for a three-game homestand against Golden State Warriors on Tuesday (8).

Orlando’s latest victory showed the team’s growing depth and adaptability – and Silva’s continued emergence has quickly become one of its early season stories.