The Orlando Magic may be one win away from advancing but closing out Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons just got more complicated. With Franz Wagner officially ruled out due to a right calf strain, Orlando is suddenly forced to adjust on both ends of the floor, especially defensively against Cade Cunningham.
Wagner’s absence isn’t just about losing a 20-point scorer. It’s about losing one of the team’s most versatile defenders. That reality became clear in Game 5, when Cunningham erupted for a playoff career-high 45 points, shooting efficiently and controlling the tempo. Without Wagner’s length and discipline on the perimeter, Orlando struggled to consistently contain Detroit’s star guard.
Why Banchero Might Be the Answer
That leaves Paolo Banchero as the most intriguing and perhaps necessary solution. It’s not something the Magic have leaned on heavily this season, but there’s real evidence it can work. During a late-February stretch, Banchero took on defensive assignments against elite players like LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Kawhi Leonard and held his own.
Tracking data from those matchups tells a compelling story. Leonard shot just 3-of-8 when defended by Banchero in a limited sample, compared to significantly higher efficiency against others. Dončić experienced similar resistance, shooting 3-of-8 with increased pressure forcing him into more playmaking than scoring.
Even in this series, there are flashes. In Game 5, when Banchero matched up with Cunningham, the Pistons star managed just 1-of-4 shooting for three points in those possessions. In comparison, When guarded by Jamal Cain he was 2-of-3 allowed team points. When Anthony Black guarded Cunningham, he was 0 for 1 but did get to the free throw line once and the matchup led to 14 team points on those possessions.
All small sample size with adjustment of Franz Wagner being out but Banchero has shown signs of being able to rise to the occasion when given the toughest defensive assignment in big matchups.
The Stakes Demand the Magic to Shift
Head coach Jamahl Mosley has hinted at this approach before, emphasizing Banchero’s ability and willingness to take on top assignments.
“I think a mindset shift in some ways,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said back in March. “We talk about him guarding the other team’s best players. Him wanting that challenge each and every single night. Him being able to continue to help us rebound the basketball because that allows to finish our defense out and then get on the break. He’s done a tremendous job there.”
But now, it’s less about experimentation and more about necessity. Orlando hasn’t advanced past the first round since 2010. Opportunities like this, up 3-2 with a chance to close at home, don’t come often, especially for a young team. And with Wagner sidelined, the margin for error is razor thin.
Cunningham is coming off not just a playoff career night, but a franchise playoff record performance. Letting him dictate Game 6 could quickly flip the pressure back onto Orlando.
That’s why leaning into Banchero as a primary defender isn’t just a tactical tweak, it’s a tone-setting decision. It puts responsibility on the team’s best player to lead on both ends, something championship-caliber stars are expected to do.
If the Magic are going to end their 16-year drought and move on, it will likely have to be on the back of their strong defense that has carried them nearly all season. This defensive adjustment wasn’t full embraced during the regular season, but Orlando may need it now more than ever.
Magic Could Lean on Unexpected Defensive Move to Stop Cade Cunningham