Franz Wagner says the losses ‘held us back’ in the NBA Cup win over the Nets

The The Orlando Magic extended their winning streak to three games with a 105–98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night in their second game NBA Cup match, but the message after the game was less focused on celebration and more on the team’s need for cleaner execution. Despite the win, the Magic committed 19 turnovers — mistakes by the stars up front Franz Wagner he said almost derailing the effort.

Wagner finished 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. His plus/minus of +15 suits the team. But in his comments after the game, he indicated the safety of the ball as the main concern.

“I thought other than the first quarter our defense was really good,” Wagner said. “Obviously turnovers were an issue the whole game and I think that held us back a little bit in the second half, so we just have to do a better job next game with that. But obviously a good effort at the end and it’s always good to win.”

The Magic led to Brooklyn’s 21 points with 19 turnovers, compared to only seven Nets turnovers that resulted in Orlando’s six points. Orlando compensated by holding Brooklyn to 16 points in the fourth quarter and closing out the game with timely shooting and late defensive stops.

Franz Wagner, Tristan da Silva praise Magic’s toughness after big upset against Nets

Tristan da Silva had one of the best performances of his young career, posting 22 points, nine rebounds and one assist while shooting 8-for-14 from the field and 5-for-9 from three in 32 minutes. He also posted a +15, matching Wagner. After the game, the second-year forward echoed Wagner’s assessment of Orlando’s uneven play.

“Yes, I mean not to our standard. That’s what we have to focus on, which is to still learn from this, to be better, to make sure we understand that we won, but we didn’t play the way we wanted to,” da Silva said. “And just build from this … obviously the games are important you kind of have to beat the ugly ones but at the same time make sure we keep improving.”

Da Silva highlighted the determination the Magic showed in winning the NBA Cup despite their offensive struggles.

“A lot of grit, a lot of toughness, especially mentally not giving up,” he said. “I’m super proud of everyone who came out today and kind of made sure we got this even though it was ugly.”

Head coach Jamahl Mosley credited Orlando’s fourth-quarter defense with securing the win, even when the offense collapsed.

“I think the fourth quarter is what did it … the defense, it carried us,” Mosley said. “Obviously, we didn’t take care of the basketball like we should have … Brooklyn disrupted, they switched, they grabbed, they held … we have to continue to find ways to not let the offense and what teams do to us affect the way we defend throughout the night.

Wagner’s clutch shot underscores the urgency for Orlando to raise its standard

Mosley also praised Wagner for hitting two critical 3-pointers — one with 1:25 left and the other with 45 seconds left — after starting 1-for-6 from deep.

“He goes to the moment … those little plays add up,” Mosley said. “It wasn’t a pretty game … but in this league you have to find a way to win.”

FRANZ WAGNER TRIPLES TO GIVE THE MAGIC V🔥 pic.twitter.com/f8b41zANva

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 15, 2025

Wagner said the Magic must now turn their focus to raising the overall standard continue their schedule in the NBA Cup.

“I think it’s good to win, but we kind of want to have a game like we did in New York … to find our brand of basketball,” Wagner said. “That should be our mindset – to take another step forward, not get too lost in the wins and losses.”

Da Silva agreed:

“It’s going to be one where we can’t get away with a win if we don’t play to our standard,” he said. “We have to make sure we are ready and learn from this game.”

Now 7–6 — above .500 for the first time since opening night — the Magic travel to face the Houston Rockets (8–3) on Sunday at 7:00 PM ET before returning home for a three-game homestand starting Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors (8–6).