Magic guard Jalen Suggs made his long-awaited return to the court to open the 2025-26 NBA season Wednesday night when Orlando hosted the Miami Heat inside a rowdy Kia Center.

Franz Wanger (24 points), Paolo Banchero (24) and Desmond Bane (23) combined to score 71 when the Magic outlasted their in-state rival, 125-121, to win their third consecutive opening night game.

In a contest that was tied 13 times and featured 10 lead changes, it was a pair of free throws with 6.1 seconds remaining from Wendell Carter Jr. (9 points) that put the game out of reach for Miami.

Wednesday’s game marked the eighth opening night matchup between the Sunshine State foes with the Magic improving to a 7-1 in those instances. Orlando also won two preseason games over Miami.

Both sides turned each ot

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