Shorthanded Magic beat Nuggets behind Banchero’s first triple-double

Despite missing eight players,the Orlando Magic upset the Denver Nuggets, 122-120, on Fridaynight behind Paolo Banchero's first careertriple-double.

Fresh off scoring a career-high43 points in a double-overtime loss against the Sacramento Kings,Banchero poured in 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds forOrlando. The 21-year-old is the youngest player in Magic history torecord a triple-double.

Banchero attempted a career-high19 free-throw attempts, making 15 of them — including four freethrows late in the game to seal the win for Orlando.

“Coming into the game, we hadeight guys out, so we had to have a next-man-up mentality," saidthe reigning Rookie of the Year and No. 1 overall pick in the 2022NBA Draft. "I can't be prouder of the team; that was a hell of awin."

Orlando came into the game withonly nine players available, and then rookie Anthony Black left thegame after just five minutes due to illness. The Magic played withjust eight players the rest of the way.

Franz Wagner (right ankle),Wendell Carter Jr. (right knee), Markelle Fultz (left knee), GaryHarris (right calf), Joe Ingles (left ankle), Jonathan Isaac (righthamstring) and Goga Bitadze (illness) were among the players whowere sidelined.

Fortunately for the Magic, theymade up for their lack of depth with hot shooting, making 17three-pointers against Denver (led by Jalen Suggs’ career-high 7threes). Orlando also shot a franchise-record 25 threes two nightsago in Sacramento.

Suggs and Cole Anthony combinedfor 50 points, while Mo Wagner added 19 to reinforceBanchero.

The Magic, who have now beatenthe Nuggets twice this season to sweep the season series, move to20-15 after going just 4-6 over their last 10 games and 6-9 overtheir last 15. Orlando is currently the No. 6 seed in the EasternConference.

Nikola Jokic was splendid againfrom the field, scoring 29 points on 68% shooting, but it wasn'tenough to lead Denver to victory a night after banking in a 39-foot heave tobury the Golden State Warriors.