Wagner scores 21 and the Magic snap a 4-game skid with a 123-107 win over the Hornets

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Franz Wagner scored 21 points and the Orlando Magic snapped a four-game losing streak with a 123-107 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night.

Paolo Banchero had 18 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Magic, who led by as many as 20 points in their second win of the season. Wagner was questionable with a left heel contusion going into the game but started.

LaMelo Ball had 17 points and 13 assists for the Hornets, his third double-double of the season.

The Magic were playing the second of a back-to-back, after falling 135-116 loss to the Pistons on Wednesday.

Ball was fined $35,000 by the NBA earlier in the day for making an obscene gesture during the fourth quarter of a 144-117 loss to Miami on Tuesday night. Ball is averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 assists and 8.3 rebounds this season.

Charlotte started three rookies for the first time in its history with Kon Knueppel, Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner. Knueppel, who made 16 3-pointers through his first four games and had five in the loss to Miami, was held to one by Orlando.

Orlando went up 53-40 with 7:04 left in the first half on Desmond Bane's basket and led by 71-58 at the break. It was the Magic's most first-half points this season.

Kalkbrenner's layup got Charlotte within 83-76 with 5:11 to go in the third quarter. Miles Bridges got the Hornets even closer with a short jumper that made it 88-85 and Orlando held a 92-85 lead going into the final period.

Tristan da Silva's 3-pointer stretched Orlando's lead to 104-87.

Last season, Orlando swept its four meetings with Charlotte.

Magic: Visit the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

Hornets: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.

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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) moves the ball against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (8) drives to the basket between Orlando Magic forwards Tristan da Silva, left, and Jonathan Isaac, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, left, shoots over Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives into Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic injured his left hamstring on Thursday night and coach JJ Redick said the league's scoring leader will have an MRI on Friday.

Redick said Doncic had an issue with the hamstring in the first half of the 139-97 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and was tended to at the break.

“We checked him out, he got work done, he was cleared," Redick said.

Doncic returned to action briefly. On his final play of the game, he spun before trying to go up for a shot against Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams. There was no contact before Doncic stopped, then lay down on the floor while wincing in pain. He left the game for good with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter.

“Those things happen,” Redick said.

Williams, an All-Star in 2025, has missed 27 games this season because of a right hamstring strain. He felt badly for Doncic.

“It’s very, like, spooky in a way to see it happen to him, and I’m the one guarding him," Williams said.

Williams could have stolen the ball after Doncic let it go, but he chose not to take advantage of the situation.

“I tried to let it go out of bounds and give them time to figure it out,” Williams said. “That injury sucks. So I wish him a speedy recovery. Hope it's not anything serious.”

Doncic had scored at least 40 points in five of his previous seven games. He was held to 12 on 3-for-10 shooting against Oklahoma City's relentless defense.

The Lakers trailed 90-58 when Doncic was hurt, so the injury made a bad night worse.

“I mean, it’s something you never want to see as a teammate,” Lakers forward Jake LaRavia said. “So especially in a game like this, it was tough to see him go down. All the prayers for him ... but yeah, you never want to see that.”

Lakers guard Austin Reaves hurt his back during the game, but continued to play. He sat out the fourth quarter with the game out of reach.

“He was in a weird position, stretching for a basketball, loose ball," Redick said. "And he just felt something intercostal, somewhere in his back, in between the ribs. He was able to play through it ... we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

The Lakers will host a rematch with the Thunder on April 7.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Dončić (77) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April. 2, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)