Magic Routed by Hawks in Franz Wagner's Return

Orlando star forward makes first appearance since injury, but it's not enough against Atlanta

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:48am

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The Orlando Magic welcomed back star forward Franz Wagner on Wednesday night, but it wasn't enough to stop the Atlanta Hawks from routing the home team 130-101. Wagner's return provided an emotional lift for the Magic, but the team ultimately couldn't overcome the Hawks' dominant performance.

Why it matters

Franz Wagner is a key player for the Magic, and his return from injury was highly anticipated by the team and its fans. However, the lopsided loss to the Hawks highlights the work the Magic still have to do to become a contender in the Eastern Conference.

The details

Wagner, who had been sidelined with a knee injury, scored 18 points in 28 minutes of action. But the Hawks, led by Trae Young's 32 points, controlled the game from the opening tip and cruised to the 29-point victory.

  • Wagner returned to the court on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
  • The Magic hosted the Hawks at the Amway Center in Orlando.

The players

Franz Wagner

A 24-year-old forward for the Orlando Magic who was making his return from a knee injury.

Trae Young

The star point guard for the Atlanta Hawks who led his team with 32 points in the victory.

Orlando Magic

The NBA team based in Orlando, Florida that lost to the Hawks 130-101.

Atlanta Hawks

The NBA team based in Atlanta, Georgia that routed the Magic 130-101.

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What they’re saying

“It was great to have Franz back out there, but we've got a lot of work to do if we want to compete with the top teams in the East.”

— Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic guard

What’s next

The Magic will look to bounce back on Friday when they host the Miami Heat, while the Hawks will try to build on this win when they travel to face the Milwaukee Bucks.

The takeaway

Despite the emotional lift of Franz Wagner's return, the Magic were simply outmatched by the more talented and experienced Hawks squad. Orlando has some work to do to become a true contender in the Eastern Conference.