If Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can shoot as well as he did from 3 in March throughout April, that could bode well for Orlando.

The Washington Wizards took the exact kind of loss Thursday night a rebuilding team is looking for in the final weeks of the season — one that enhanced their lottery position while also offering a tantalizing performance from a key part of their young core.

The Washington Wizards lost 109-97 to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night at Capital One Arena. Tonight’s game was headlined by some strong individual efforts, especially from rookie Bub Carrington, but not enough to overcome a more organized and physical Magic squad.

The Wizards are coming off a 116-111 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday to snap a three-game losing streak. They led by 14 points in the fourth quarter and held on to win following a 3-pointer by JT Thor that put the game out of reach.

On Thursday night, the Washington Wizards will play the Orlando Magic (at home). For the game, they will be without their best player, as Jordan Poole has been

The Wizards have been showing strength in their recent games, particularly in back-to-back matchups. The matchup against the Magic will mark their fifth consecutive home game, which often serves as a significant advantage for teams.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Paolo Banchero scored 30 points and the Orlando Magic eased to a 120-105 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Wendell Carter Jr. had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Franz Wagner added 21 points for the Magic, who have now alternated wins and losses over their last seven games.

Banchero had 30 points and eight rebounds in three quarters and the visiting Orlando Magic had one of their biggest offensive performances of the season, downing the Washington Wizards 120-105 Friday night.

Diving deeper into Wagner's shooting mechanics, his confidence stood out, especially with three-point attempts. His shooting success was largely influenced by transition plays, with both of his three-pointers coming from fast breaks.