Orlando's Dynamic Duo Gets The Best Of LeBron And Luka

It was a big night in Orlando. Not only did Dwight Howard become the 13th inductee into the Magic Hall of Fame, but it was also Franz Wagner bobblehead night. And if that wasn't enough juice, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Lakers were in town.

Fans at the Kia Center were treated to a show. The stars shone bright from start to finish. For the Magic, Franz finished with 32 points and nine assists, and Paolo Banchero with 30 points and seven rebounds. For the Lakers, Luka Doncic had 32 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while LeBron James finished with 24/6/7.

The Lakers had a 60-58 lead at halftime, but the Magic came out hot in the third quarter. They outscored Los Angeles 34-18 in the period and never looked back. The victory capped Orlando's first real consecutive wins since December (if you don't count the games just before and just after the All-Star Break). The Magic are starting to play their best basketball, and it all starts with Franz and Paolo.

Franz Wagner's Magical Performances Against Lakers

Five big BOOMS for tonight’s performance https://t.co/vcDnMd9ZcM pic.twitter.com/paBqfoCWsJ

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) March 25, 2025

It's no secret that Lakers head coach JJ Redick is a fan of Franz Wagner. Just last year, he welcomed him as a guest on "The Old Man and the Three" podcast.

Franz Wagner talks about how he studies film and why he's watching Luka and SGA on @SecondSpectrum.

Full episode with @jj_redick and @talter drops 1/19: https://t.co/huCsyFm2zR pic.twitter.com/rZJsIP5505

— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) January 18, 2024

Being a student of the game, Franz spoke to JJ about how he watches film on guys like Luka and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Ironically, he got to face one of the guys he studies on Monday night, but this time, that guy, Luka Doncic, was being coached by that podcast host, JJ Redick.

Before the game, I asked Redick what he liked about Franz's game. He smiled big and told the media, "I like nearly everything about his game, he's a star. I told the guys to treat Franz Wagner like Anthony Edwards [in our pre-game meeting]."

Then Franz went on to have another dominant performance against the Lakers. In two games against them this season, he's averaging 34.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 10 assists per game. The first game in LA was capped off by a huge game-winning three.

Boogie & the Beast

But it wasn't all about Franz on Monday night. It was also about "the Beast," Paolo Banchero. Yes, the official Magic X account has dubbed their young dynamic duo, "Boogie & the Beast."

boogie & the beast pic.twitter.com/CnxKkEpqUf

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 18, 2025

Banchero notched his third straight 30-point game. What's impressive about this three-game stretch is how efficient he's been. He's shooting 50% from the field (42% 3PT) and 88.5% from the charity stripe. Compare that to his inefficient scoring post-oblique injury.

Not only is the Beast finally healthy, but he's taken his game to new heights. He's done so by simply knocking down his free throws. He told the media post-game that he took 200 free throws per day during the All-Star Break. He admitted he's now more confident in his routine and his form, and it shows.

“I know I can get to the line pretty much anytime I want, and so when I get there I wanna be able to convert” https://t.co/QKyF1zhO31 pic.twitter.com/xH6X8XrTgI

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) March 25, 2025

I also had the opportunity to ask Luka about Orlando's dynamic duo and what makes them so special. "Trying to stop them is really hard," he said. "They can do a little bit of everything." And that they did on Monday night in front of an energetic crowd at the Kia Center.

Banchero and teammate Anthony Black admitted there's a different energy in the building when playing against LeBron, Luka, and the Lakers. "It raised everybody’s sharpness, everybody’s focus," said Black.

It was a fun night all around, and one that Magic fans will always remember. But, it's just one of 82. That being said, Franz and Paolo are playing their best basketball late in the season, and they're getting a ton of respect from prominent figures in the NBA. The best is yet to come.

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