February 5, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) dunks in the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Image Paolo Banchero plans to make the playoffs with the Orlando Magic, who currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings and are trying to avoid an invitation to the postseason play-in section.
Banchero’s hot hands will be tested against the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. The fourth-year forward scored a season-high 37 points in a 126-109 home win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is working his way back from a foot injury, but is not expected to return to battle with Duke alum Banchero.
Orlando snapped a two-game losing streak after beating the Wizards and will close out a four-game homestand against Dallas, where it has lost 14 of its last 16 games.
“We’re approaching every game as a playoff-caliber game,” Banchero said. “At this stage of the season, every game is important for us. We’re trying to fight for the top spots. It’s just about coming in with that mindset and preparing the right way.”
Orlando faced Washington without injured starters Anthony Black (right extremity contusion) and Wendell Carter Jr. (left ankle soreness). I doubt he will play in Thursday’s game. Forward Franz Wagner is out with a left ankle sprain.
Center Goga Vitadze entered the opening lineup for the second time this season and finished the game with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
“This is why Goga Bitadze is an absolute pro,” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. “He expressed exactly what we needed to do when your number was called, and he got it done.”
Magic guard Jalen Suggs returned after missing three games with a back injury and had 10 points, three rebounds, nine assists, two steals and two blocks against the Wizards.
Orlando faces a Dallas team that opened a six-game road trip with a 117-90 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday.
Brandon Williams scored 18 points to lead the Mavericks, who shot 13.6 percent (3 of 22) from 3-point range, while Charlotte connected on 20 of 51 shots (39.2 percent) from beyond the arc.
“We have shooters who can make 3-pointers, and we shot 51 tonight,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. “The positive for us is that we got to the free throw line 47 times. We understand that if you turn twos into threes, it’s not a win-win situation. But again, we didn’t shoot the threes very well. We made 22 and made threes. We’ve got to shoot better there.”
Mavericks forward PJ Washington returned after missing three games with an ankle injury and scored 13 points in 28 minutes against Charlotte.
Flagg will miss his ninth straight game due to a left foot midfoot sprain, but the standout rookie could return at some point during the team’s current road trip. Flagg was involved in part of the Mavericks’ shootout Tuesday.
“He’s growing more and more.” Kid said. “Everything is going well. (Tuesday) was about getting back into his routine and hopefully he can get in and play a game or two when we go on this trip.”
Additionally, the Mavericks are monitoring the status of Klay Thompson (right adductor contusion), Najee Marshall (right finger contusion), and Marvin Bagley III (neck) as questionable.
–Field level media
