Wizards Look to Rebound Against Magic After Allowing 83 Points to Bam Adebayo

Washington tries to end 9-game skid against surging Orlando squad led by Paolo Banchero

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:35pm

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The Washington Wizards will look to bounce back after allowing Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo to score a career-high 83 points in their previous game. The Wizards now turn their attention to the high-scoring Orlando Magic, led by rookie Paolo Banchero, as they try to end their 9-game losing streak. The Magic have won 5 straight games and sit in 5th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions, with the Wizards struggling to avoid the worst record in the league while the Magic have surged up the standings with a recent hot streak. The outcome could have significant implications for the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

The details

The Wizards were blown out 150-129 by the Heat on Tuesday, with Adebayo setting the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history. Washington's defense has struggled all season, ranking 3rd in the league in free throws allowed per game. The Magic, meanwhile, have won 5 straight games behind strong performances from Banchero and Desmond Bane. Orlando used a big advantage at the free throw line to beat the Wizards 126-109 in their last meeting on March 3.

  • The Wizards and Magic will face off on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • Trae Young is expected to return to the Wizards' lineup after missing time due to injury.
  • The Magic previously defeated the Wizards 126-109 on March 3, 2026.

The players

Bam Adebayo

The Miami Heat center who scored a career-high 83 points against the Wizards in their previous game.

Paolo Banchero

The rookie forward for the Orlando Magic who has led the team's recent surge, including a 37-point performance against the Wizards earlier this month.

Trae Young

The Wizards guard who is expected to return to the lineup after missing time due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot of fouls called -- 16 free throws (for Adebayo) in the fourth quarter. We tried to take the ball out of his hands. He got some free throws 40 feet from the rim. I can't explain some of those calls.”

— Brian Keefe, Wizards Head Coach

“There's going to be different ways to win games and we keep finding those ways. Games are going to look different. But it's taking it one game at a time. The goal (Wednesday) was take care of this game, take care of home. Our fans were absolutely fantastic. It's people on their feet, cheering with the defense, getting our guys going. The energy of this building is just incredible. That's a big piece of what this game means to us.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Magic Head Coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This matchup highlights the contrasting fortunes of the struggling Wizards and the surging Magic, with Washington's defensive struggles and foul trouble issues potentially playing a key role in the outcome as they try to end their lengthy losing streak against the rising Eastern Conference contenders.