INDIANAPOLIS – When your star player is unavailable night after night, the margin for error is razor thin. For the Orlando Magic, who will be without All-Star Paolo Banchero for the fourth straight season, this five-game road trip has taught that hard lesson again and again.

The host Indiana Pacers had a 12-point lead Wednesday night after shooting 14 of 21 from the field in the first quarter. In the second quarter the lead increased to 18 points. In previous stops on this road trip where the Magic dug themselves early holes due to poor shooting, poor defense or a combination of both, the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

The Magic began telling a different story Wednesday night, going on a 26-7 run from 9:54 to 1:48 to take their first lead of the night.

In the second half, the rivals exchanged baskets well into the fourth quarter. Orlando cut its 11-point deficit to two points twice, but Indiana All-Star Tyrese Haliburton’s three-pointer with 33 seconds left ended the drama. Pacers 118, Magic 111.

Orlando is now 3-6 overall; 0-4 without Banchero, who is expected to be out for at least another month.

“We always talk about the next-man-up mentality, and we got a lot of guys to play hard and play the right way,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said after the game. “We’ll go out of bounds, but you can’t start the game 38-26 in the first quarter. It’s very important that you start off right, especially away from home.”

In the last four games without Banchero, Orlando has been minus-51 overall in the first quarter. With as many turnovers as the Magic can make, playing from behind without their leading scorer is not a winning formula.

“I’m just focused on coming out on defense,” guard Anthony Black said. “We responded well to our first quarters that we gave up, but I think if we have a better first quarter defensively in some of these games, we’ll be in the game (and) we’ll put ourselves in a position to be up.” to win the home straight.

Franz Wagner led all scorers with 28 points. Five other Magic players reached double figures: Jalen Suggs (15), Moe Wagner (14), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (13), Anthony Black (12) and Goga Bitadze (10).

Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 20 points, and five other Pacers joined him in double figures: Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, Tyrese Haliburton and Jarace Walker, all with 17, and TJ McConnell with 15.

Rookie swingman Tristan da Silva (5 points) started in place of Paolo Banchero for the third consecutive season. Bitadze also started for the second straight year in place of Wendell Carter Jr., who had to miss the competition due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Bitadze added 12 rebounds to his 10 points.

The team’s scoring was clearly in favor of the Magic at 70-42, but once again inconsistent outside scoring made the difference. For the third straight game, Orlando scored eight or fewer three-point baskets. Through nine games, the Magic have the worst 3-point percentage (30.3) in the NBA.

The Magic endured one of the most difficult stretches of their early program. After nine days in five cities, they’re ready for some home cooking. Just ask Franz if he’s ready to be back in Orlando.

“Yes, a lot,” said Wagner.

The Magic begin a five-game home stretch Friday night by hosting the New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is scheduled for November 8th at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Kia Center.

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