German NBA star Wagner creates a “film moment” shortly before the end

Important threesome

Franz Wagner throws the Orlando Magic to victory with 37 points and a three-pointer seconds before the end in Los Angeles. The other Germans also shine.

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An outstanding Franz Wagner led the Orlando Magic to a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers with three seconds left. The German basketball world champion scored the decisive shot in the North American professional league NBA to make it 119:118 (60:67).

“It was probably the biggest throw of my career so far,” Wagner said after the game about his step-back three-pointer. “In these moments you don’t think too hard, but I think I made a good decision.” His teammate Jalen Suggs even spoke of a “movie moment.”

Wagner set two personal season highs with 37 points and eleven assists. He had never managed so many assists in a game in his four NBA seasons. In addition to the so-called double-double, Wagner also recorded six rebounds and four steals. His brother Moritz Wagner also achieved a personal season best with 19 points. Tristan da Silva, the Magic’s third German, scored twelve points.

Lakers stars miss free throws shortly before the end

The Lakers around their superstars LeBron James (31 points) and Anthony Davis (39) had previously been in the lead for large parts of the final quarter. Among other things, James scored three threes in a row. But in the final minute, the two star players missed crucial free throws, and with the Lakers two points ahead, Davis made two missed throws that gave the Magic the chance to win – which Wagner took and converted.

For Los Angeles it was the first defeat after six wins in a row and the first home defeat of the season. After their tenth win of the season, the Magic remain in the top group of the Eastern Conference. They were recently missing three starters, including All-Star Paolo Banchero. (dpa/edited by ms)

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Teaser image: © Getty Images/Christian Petersen