After the sensational World Cup title in 2023, basketball is becoming more and more popular in Germany. And more and more German stars are also excelling in the NBA, probably the best league in the world. One is really blooming this season.
One thing in advance: It’s not Dennis Schröder. Even though the captain of the German national basketball team is always one of the best players, it is another basketball player who stands out and shocks the NBA. Superstar LeBron James also felt his sensational form.
NBA: Franz Wagner is blossoming
Ice cold, ice cold, Franz Wagner: The German shines in his fourth NBA season and shows what he can do. Almost single-handedly, he makes the Orlando Magic cheer and has played a large part in the ten wins in the 17 games so far. Last night he flexed his muscles again and annoyed superstar LeBron James.
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The Berliner excelled with 37 points and ultimately secured the important away win for the Magic with a three-pointer 2.6 seconds before the end. “It was like a movie moment,” Wagner’s teammate Jalen Suggs said after the game.
“It was probably the biggest throw of my career,” said a more than happy Wagner: “We didn’t have any more time out. Then I had the idea to do it myself. The throw before felt very good. Then I didn’t think much about it. I think it was a good decision.”
Wagner brothers annoy LeBron James
In addition to his 37 points, Wagner also set another season high with eleven assists. The German national player also recorded a double-double with six rebounds and four steals. In the last twelve NBA games he averaged a strong 25.4 points.
But his brother Moritz Wagner also showed a good performance with 19 points and also set a season’s best. The two brothers scored 20 of Orlando’s 30 points in the final quarter. Tristan da Silva, the Magic’s third German, scored twelve points. The three Germans thus contributed a total of 68 and therefore over 57 percent of all points.
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By the way, it was the first home defeat of the season for LeBron James and the Lakers. Orlando is now in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The same applies to the Lakers in the Western Conference.