#8 March 2, 2022 vs. Pacers
Although the Magic came up short in overtime, Franz Wagner was sensational on this night with 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point distance. Mo Bamba, who helped send the game to OT with a tying shot in the final seconds of regulation, also had one of his better performances with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 12 rebounds.
#7 Dec. 22, 2021 at Hawks
With both teams shorthanded due to the COVID surge that had been going around the country at the time, Wagner stepped up and guided the Magic to the victory over the Hawks with 25 points.
#6 Jan. 28, 2022 vs. Pistons
In a game featuring two of the top players from the 2021 NBA Draft class – with Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick, being the other – Wagner shined in a win over the Pistons with 24 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting. Cunningham, meanwhile, struggled on this night, scoring just eight points on 3-of-17 overall shooting and 0-of-5 3-point shooting.
#5 Jan. 30, 2022 vs. Mavs
Just two nights later with the Mavs in town, Wagner hit the game’s biggest shot. The score tied at 107, he drove down the lane with Dorian Finney-Smith guarding him and connected on a go-ahead floater with 54 seconds remaining. He had made two other huge shots earlier in the fourth quarter as part of his 18-point night in Orlando’s thrilling victory.
#4 Nov. 19, 2022 at Pacers
Although he was unable to connect on a driving layup in the final seconds that would have put Orlando in the lead, Wagner was sensational on this night in Indiana, racking up 29 points – the third most so far in his career. He shot 9-of-17 from the field overall and 5-of-9 from 3-point range.
#3 Nov. 21, 2021 at Timberwolves
Probably the first aha moment that enlightened us all about Wagner’s supreme abilities was when he poured in 28 points in Orlando’s victory over Minnesota. The 6-foot-10 versatile forward had 10 of Orlando’s 43 fourth-quarter points, while Cole Anthony scored 14 of his 31 points in the final frame.
#2 Nov. 5, 2022 vs. Kings
While it came in a heartbreaking overtime defeat, Wagner exploded for 31 points against the Kings. It was the second time in his career that he eclipsed the 30-point mark. Paolo Banchero was also electric that night, finishing with 33 points. De’Aaron Fox made a game-winning buzzer-beater for Sacramento from just past half-court as time expired.
#1 Dec. 28, 2021 vs. Bucks
Wagner erupted for a career-best 38 points against the Bucks, tied for the third most by a rookie in Magic history. It was the 11th time a first-year Orlando player scored 35-plus points. The team record for most points scored by a rookie is 46, Shaquille O’Neal’s total on Feb. 16, 1993 against the Pistons.