Magic Notes: Black, Suggs, Da Silva, Wagners, Penda

Third-year guard Anthony Black erupted for a career-high 38 points in the Magic‘s comeback victory over Denver on Saturday, writes Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel.

It was the second game of a back-to-back for the Magic, who had a disappointing loss to Charlotte the night before. They trailed by as many as 17 points in the third quarter, but worked their way back into the game by forcing turnovers and getting baskets in transition, Beede notes.

Black shot 14-of-24 from the floor in Saturday’s win, including 7-of-11 from long distance. The 21-year-old also contributed six rebounds, five assists and two steals and was plus-six in 30 minutes.

“He’s put the work in,” Desmond Bane said about Black. “He laid the foundation for a great season with the way he approached the summer. I’m really happy for his growth. He’s a special player and he’s only going to get better.”

Known as a strong defender, Black has improved across the board in his third season and deserves to be in the Most Improved Player conversation, according to Josh Cohen of the team’s website.

“Confidence stepping into a shot, playing the right way,” head coach Jamahl Mosley said of Black. “The things that we’ve talked about him being and doing each night. When he gets that ball in his hands, just looking to attack to get downhill, stepping into a shot, and then taking on the challenge of guarding one of the best guards in the league.”

Here’s more on the Magic:

• Jalen Suggs was sidelined for his sixth straight game Saturday due to a left hip contusion, Beede tweets. “I don’t know how close but just keep preparing myself to be back on the court with my brothers,” Suggs said.
• A bruised right shoulder limited Tristan Da Silva‘s effectiveness earlier this month and forced him to miss four games before returning to action on Friday, Beede writes in another story. “I feel good,” Da Silva said Friday morning. “It’s been something that I’ve been dealing with a little bit, so I’m just glad that I finally took the time to settle back down and get things re-centered with myself. I’m excited to step back out there again.” The second-year forward was a key contributor in Saturday’s win, finishing with 17 points (on 7-of-11 shooting) and five rebounds in 30 minutes.
• Mosley also provided injury updates on Franz Wagner and his older brother Moritz Wagner Friday morning, Beede adds. Franz, who is recovering from a high left ankle sprain, has been limited to spot shooting. Moritz, who is a year removed from a torn ACL, will be playing 2-on-2, 3-on-3 and taking contact in the near future, but there’s no timetable for the big man’s return, per Beede.
• Bane raved about Noah Penda‘s contributions earlier this week with the Magic shorthanded, as Beede relays (via Twitter). “He’s been huge,” Bane said of the rookie forward, who was selected No. 32 overall in the 2025 draft. “We all know what he brings on the defensive end, scrapping to get loose balls, but I’m proud of him for having confidence in his shot.“