NBA

Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic

· National Basketball Association
12-25, 5-15 Away
Final
89 - 123

18-20, 13-8 Home

Vucevic, Fournier lead Magic past Wizards 123-89

Nikola Vucevic scored 29 points, Evan Fournier added 19, and the Magic beat Washington 123-89 on Wednesday night to secure their first sweep of the Wizards since 2010-11.

Orlando took control for good with a 23-5 run to close the second quarter, punctuated by a dunk by Vucevic in the final seconds, for a 69-52 lead.

"When you get a lead early, and the zone (defense) slows the game down, you can lose your concentration, lose your intensity," Magic coach Steve Clifford said. "I thought our guys did a good job."

The advantage ballooned to 29 points in the early stages of the third quarter.

"Runs happen all the time. Things turn around quickly. In the position we are, we can't afford to relax against a team like that," Vucevic added. "We were efficient offensively, and on the defensive end, we got some steals and got some easy baskets that opened the game up."

The Wizards played with a short bench, as a rash of injuries left them with only nine players available. Bradley Beal, the star guard who averaged 34.3 points in the previous three games against Orlando, sat out for the fourth consecutive game since injuring his right leg against the Magic in Washington on Jan. 1.

Admiral Schofield scored 18 points to lead the Wizards, and Troy Brown, Jr. had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

"That's two games in a row we played this team a step slow," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. "We were dribbling one extra dribble and late on our passes. When you play this team, you've got to be on point. (The Magic are) a good team that I think now is starting to play much better."

TIP-INS:

Wizards: After playing in 194 consecutive games, Beal has now missed six of Washington's last seven due to injury. . Washington was also without Rui Hachimura (groin), Thomas Bryant (foot), and Davis Bertans (quadriceps). ... Clifford's reaction to long list of Wizards injuries: "I don't think I've ever seen a team with that many starters or guys in their rotation be out at the same time like this."

Magic: F Jonathan Isaac will not need surgery for the knee sprain he suffered on Jan. 1 at Washington. Isaac will be re-evaluated in 8 to 10 weeks. ... F Al-Farouq Aminu underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn right meniscus. He will be re-evaluated in approximately 12 weeks, meaning he could be available for the latter stages of the regular season and a potential playoff run.

WIZ KIDS

Vucevic's 29 points were one shy of his season high. He scored 30 in a 125-121 win against Washington on Nov. 17.

Orlando's 69 point outburst in the first half was its best output in the first half of any game this season, eclipsing the 68 it scored in a 127-120 win over the Wizards on Dec. 3. The Magic scored 120 or more points in all four of their games against Washington.

"Now I have a little leverage to talk trash to some of my friends back home who are die-hard Wizards fans," said Magic G Markelle Fultz, a native of Maryland's D.C. suburbs. "That's huge."

UP NEXT

Wizards: Host Atlanta on Friday night.

Magic: Begin a six-game road trip at Phoenix on Friday night.

---

Regular Season Series

ORL wins series 4-0

Recent Plays

4th 0.0 End of Game 89 - 123
4th 0.0 End of the 4th Quarter 89 - 123
4th 20.5 Admiral Schofield defensive rebound 89 - 123
4th 23.9 Amile Jefferson misses 9-foot hook shot 89 - 123
4th 39.9 Troy Brown Jr. makes 16-foot jumper (Isaac Bonga assists) 89 - 123

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/wsh.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originWSH https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/orl.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originORL
36-84 FG 43-87
43 Field Goal % 49
6-23 3PT 10-27
26 Three Point % 37
11-19 FT 27-34
58 Free Throw % 79
47 Rebounds 60
10 Offensive Rebounds 13
30 Defensive Rebounds 38
24 Assists 24
8 Steals 18
5 Blocks 3
23 Turnovers 16
0 Team Turnovers 1
23 Total Turnovers 17
0 Technical Fouls 1
0 Total Technical Fouls 1
0 Flagrant Fouls 0
35 Points Conceded Off Turnovers 16
9 Fast Break Points 8
42 Points in Paint 56
22 Fouls 21
4 Largest Lead 36
Orlando Magic Orlando Magic Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Jase Richardson, G Day-To-Day Mar 9
Anthony Black, G Day-To-Day Mar 9
Jonathan Isaac, F Out Mar 8
Franz Wagner, F Out Feb 18
Washington Wizards Washington Wizards Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Jamir Watkins, G Out Mar 7
Tristan Vukcevic, F Out Mar 7
Anthony Davis, F Out Mar 5
Kyshawn George, F Out Mar 4
D'Angelo Russell, G Out Mar 3

Game Information

Kia Center

Location: Orlando, FL
Attendance: 16,013 · Capacity:

2025-26 Southeast Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Orlando 35 28 .556 - W4
Miami 36 29 .554 - W5
Atlanta 33 31 .516 2.5 W6
Charlotte 32 33 .492 4 L2
Washington 16 47 .254 19 L8
Full Standings

NBA News

Stephen A.: The Knicks need to stand up, period

Stephen A.: The Knicks need to stand up, period

Stephen A. Smith sends his message to the Knicks after their loss to the Lakers.

How Stephen A. views the Celtics' title chances with Tatum back

How Stephen A. views the Celtics' title chances with Tatum back

Stephen A. Smith assesses the Celtics' title chances given Jayson Tatum's return to the lineup.

Fantasy basketball pickups: Bulls backcourt among top waiver-wire options

Fantasy basketball pickups: Bulls backcourt among top waiver-wire options

Every week in fantasy basketball, there are available players who can help fill holes in your roster. Here are the ones to add for the week ahead.

Are the Lakers better with Luka and Reaves on the court over LeBron?

Are the Lakers better with Luka and Reaves on the court over LeBron?

Brian Windhorst gives his take on the data that suggests the Lakers are more efficient when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves play and LeBron James does not.