McCollum and the Wizards face off against the Magic in an Eastern Conference showdown. The game tips off in Washington at 7 p.m. EST on Tuesday, January 5, 2026. The Wizards, led by CJ McCollum, are struggling at 9-25, while the Magic, with Desmond Bane, boast a 20-16 record. This game is a crucial test for both teams.
The Wizards have a challenging conference record of 6-17, but they've shown resilience in close games, going 2-2 when games are decided by 3 points or fewer. The Magic, on the other hand, are 5-3 against their division rivals. Orlando's high-scoring offense averages 117.1 points per game and boasts a strong shooting percentage of 46.9%.
Despite their impressive scoring, the Magic's defense is a concern. They allow opponents to shoot 47.7% from the field, which is 1.4 percentage points higher than their own field goal percentage. The Wizards, however, have a strong defensive strategy, giving up only 14.4 3-pointers per game, which is 3.2 fewer than the Magic's average. This defensive battle could be a key factor in the game's outcome.
This isn't the first time these teams have faced off this season. The Magic dominated the previous meeting on November 1, winning 125-94. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 28 points, while Kyshawn George was the top scorer for the Wizards with 17 points. CJ McCollum and the Wizards will be looking to turn things around and secure a victory.
The top performers for the Wizards include CJ McCollum, who averages 18.6 points and 3.6 assists, and Corey Kispert, who has been on fire with 13.0 points per game over the last 10 games. For the Magic, Desmond Bane averages 19.3 points and 4.6 assists, while the young star, Paolo Banchero, has been on an absolute tear with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists per game over the same period.
Both teams have had mixed results in their last 10 games. The Wizards have a 5-5 record, averaging 114.9 points, 46.5 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 7.3 steals, and 7.1 blocks per game. Their opponents have averaged a formidable 118.8 points. The Magic, similarly, have a 5-5 record, averaging 114.9 points, 43.2 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 7.8 steals, and 5.2 blocks per game. Their opponents have managed to score an average of 119.0 points.
Injury concerns for the Wizards include Cam Whitmore (shoulder) and Kyshawn George (hip). The Magic, unfortunately, have a longer list of injured players: Franz Wagner (ankle), Moritz Wagner (knee), and Jalen Suggs (knee). These injuries could impact the team's performance and strategy.
This game promises to be an exciting and closely fought contest. Will the Wizards' resilience and defensive prowess prevail? Or will the Magic's high-scoring offense and star power shine through? The outcome will be determined by which team can rise to the challenge and execute their game plan effectively.
