Orlando Magic’s Shooting Struggles Hinder Playoff Hopes

ORLANDO, Fla. –– The Orlando Magic‘s rocky road to the NBA playoffs has hit another bump, as shooting woes continue to plague the team despite individual successes from players like Franz Wagner and Anthony Black. As the 2024-25 season progresses, the Magic struggle to achieve an adequate three-point shooting percentage, hampering their overall performance and playoff aspirations.

Wagner, now in his third season, has posted career-high averages for points, yet his shooting from beyond the arc remains a glaring issue. After finishing the previous season with a three-point shooting percentage of 36.1, he has plummeted to just 28.1 percent this year, ranking last among 160 qualifying players in the league.

With his current three-point shooting hovering barely above the 30 percent mark, Wagner’s inability to find consistent success is symptomatic of the Magic’s overall shooting difficulties. The team ranks at the bottom in three-point shooting efficiency, currently making only 31.1 percent of their attempts – traces of their worst performance since the 2012-13 Minnesota Timberwolves.

“Ultimately, that’s what comes to breaking zones down,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said following a recent 116-108 loss to the Houston Rockets. “I think we got some great looks, but we did not make them.”

Despite occasional strong performances, like his five three-pointers against the Sacramento Kings, Wagner’s inconsistency has led to missed opportunities for the Magic. His struggles also highlight a larger team issue, as the Magic’s overall shooting accuracy sits at an alarming 31.0 percent from three-point range.

Wagner has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly when afforded the chance to create his own shot, as seen in last November when he averaged over 20 points per game and helped the team to an 11-5 record. However, with the increased production expected from star forward Paolo Banchero, the Magic’s offensive sets have often devolved into isolation plays, limiting opportunities for Wagner.

In assessing the team’s challenges, Mosley pointed out: “We have to be locked in for 48 minutes. They’re a great team, [the Rockets] have an [eight-game] winning streak. To beat those kinds of teams, you have to be really, really locked in.”

Wagner’s struggles are juxtaposed against the rising performance of Black, who demonstrated his potential in a recent game with 17 points and three three-pointers. Black has been pivotal when aggressive, showcasing why he was selected as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

“When Anthony Black is aggressive both offensively and defensively, he is a problem,” Mosley said. “And that’s what we ask him to do on a consistent basis.”

Despite these performances, both individual and team success remains inconsistent. The Magic are currently ranked 32-38, reflecting their inability to string together wins, with notable transitions in performance before and after the All-Star break. The team is 13-26 in games since December and has not won consecutive matches since before the break.

Franz Wagner echoed the need for sustained focus: “Human beings making mistakes,” he remarked about their struggles before adding that consistency is crucial for success.

Time is of the essence for the Magic as they seek to improve heading into the final stretch of the season. Building on individual strengths while developing a cohesive team strategy may be essential for them to advance toward the playoffs.