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Questions loom over Orlando Magic after devastating loss
Dec 3, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) and forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner/Brad Penner-Imagn Images
This was supposed to be the Orlando Magic’s statement of intent. This was supposed to be the moment when the Magic declared themselves contenders in the Eastern Conference. This was supposed to be their national coming out party.
With TNT devoting 15 minutes of their 30-minute pregame show to introducing the Magic to a national audience, it was primed for this storyline. It was primed for the Magic to make a major statement in this pressure-packed, medium-stakes game.
So what happened? Are the Magic really destined to be paper champions after a 121-106 loss to the New York Knicks? Are they the team that dominates the bad teams but still is not ready for the spotlight?
Some of these questions are unfair. There is no shame in losing to a good team like the Knicks. As Reggie Miller exclaimed throughout the broadcast, the Knicks were telling the Magic they were not ready to run with the big dogs quite yet and telling the league they were the title contenders everyone though they were.
This is just one game out of 82. The Magic are allowed what Jamahl Mosley termed a “stinker” every now and then as painful and frustrating as they might be. Even in this spotlight, one game does not make a season.
Yet. . .
So many of the Magic’s flaws were on display. The lack of creative playmaking and driving. The poor 3-point shooting. The turnovers helping give their opponent a jumpstart into their offense. Their youth and inexperience as they struggled to break free and gave in to frustration.
Orlando has been so good at limiting these flaws, but the team has rarely put all the pieces together against elite teams yet. The Magic have just two wins against teams with records better than .500 – the Phoenix Suns without Kevin Durant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Magic still have a lot they need to prove. They still need games like Tuesday’s game and opportunities to test themselves.
Like they did in losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks in the immediate aftermath of Paolo Banchero’s injury, the Magic were found wanting. They looked unprepared to keep up offensively with these teams and their defense looked shaky.
It all seemed very un-Magic-like considering their resilience and poise throughout the season.
They have always been able to lean back on their defense to bail them out and keep them in games. In that way Tuesday’s loss feels like an aberration. The Magic just do not play defensive games like this.
The Knicks deserve credit for playing a really strong game. They are the top offense in the league for a reason and they pulled and ripped the Magic’s defense apart. Orlando had no answers and now way to stop the bleeding.
The question then becomes whether this will happen again. Against other elite teams and against other strong offenses, will the Magic be able to hold up. Are they just able to dominate the bad teams but have no answers against the better ones?
These are not questions anyone can answer after one game. Everyone is allowed a bad game. And Paolo Banchero’s return will help solve a lot of these problems. The Magic probably always knew they would find it tough to win games like this consistently without their star player. They need to be healthy to have a shot.
But those questions need to linger. The Magic failed to perform on such a big stage and with these stakes. Now they have to prove themselves again.
The good news is they advanced in the NBA Cup. They will get the chance to prove themselves again on the national stage Tuesday in Milwaukee. The NBA always gives you another chance.
Dec 1, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) attempts to secure the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina/Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The first thing I saw when I woke up this morning was a clip of Rockets coach, Ime Udoka, stalking toward referee John Goble and subsequently getting himself ejected. Udoka was incensed over the refs not calling a foul on behalf of Alperen Senguin, who drove to the basket through multiple instances of contact (and shoving) from Kings big, Domantas Sabonis.
The next thing I saw was a report that Rockets forward Tari Eason had run up into the stands after the game’s final whistle to confront a fan who heckled him as he was exiting through the tunnel.
As my brain stirred with the smell of coffee and I read about martial law unfolding and quickly thwarted by protestors and the political opposition in South Korea, I toggled my basketball opinion from This seems serious to It’s really not, regarding all the emotions spilling out on-court last night. This is what, by design, the In-Season Tournament was made for.
This part of the NBA season typically saw a taper of audience attention. The piqued interest of the season getting underway wanes, partially due to the predominantly American audience choosing NFL football over mid-week basketball. The NBA’s Christmas Day slate of games sees a viewership spike but otherwise the “stakes” don’t feel compelling to the casual fan until All-Star, and then again as the playoffs approach. Team owners and the Board of Governors panicked and thus: The NBA Cup was introduced.
Domineering corporate interest aside, the happy side effect of the In-Season Tournament has been higher stakes across the board, and not just from prize incentivization for players (though Josh Hart admitting he just wants a watch is also pretty funny). Young teams, teams on the competitive verge, and teams that may have been considered write-offs to start the season have for the most part used their NBA Cup nights as test runways for playing on a bigger stage and at a higher level. It didn’t necessarily work out for all of them (I had high hopes for the Spurs), but a glance at the Cup’s quarter finals bracket reveals a varied and interesting field of teams.
It’s both preposterous and cool that Warriors vs. Rockets is now a potential Western Conference playoff preview, and that the same goes in the East with Bucks vs. Magic. The Hawks and Knicks will be reunited in their rivalry, and the budding friction between the Mavs and Thunder, through the pestering of Luka Doncic by players who’ve all taken a page from his offensive book, is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
Friction, in good competition, is inevitable. It’s also partially the point. Certainly, coaches shouldn’t make a habit of hounding refs around the court but friction and competition, and friction in competition, don’t need to be negatives.
Two great examples of the symbiotic relationship between the two came in last night’s slate of knockout games. First, with the always expressive Draymond Green unable to hide his disdain from the sidelines as Nikola Jokic grabbed his face after coming down from collision under the rim with 14 seconds left in the game. Green was less actually distraught than sporting a classic “I’m not mad, just disappointed” look.
The second came in the chippy, high-intensity Rockets-Thunder match-up, with Dillon Brooks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting tangled up with each other when they both clamped down on the same loose ball. Neither let it go and they both went careening into the Rockets bench, with their teammates swirling behind. It eventually broke up in laughter because neither of them could keep a straight face, having as close a relationship as they do as teammates for Canada Basketball. When the refs swooped in en masse, Brooks and Gilgeous-Alexander assured them they were cool, everything was fine, and the game continued.
These are games that have gone from weeknight skips, better to relive watching through their highlights the next day, to must-see matches. The stakes range from funny to secondarily furious, tense to over-the-top; are stakes that still only exist in the insular world of NBA basketball, but there are stakes. It’s early December, and we have stakes.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Tari Eason and Amen Thompson’s defensive abilities are unmatched. (Defector)
News LeBron James is in one of the worst outside shooting slumps of his career. Is playing in all 82-games still doable? (ESPN)
Milestone The 4x NBA All-Star and 16 NBA season vet, Paul Millsap, announces retirement. (ESPN)
Ranking Three Orlando Magic players, Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner, have made ESPN’s NBA Top 25 Under 25 list. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Magic will challenge the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
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Suns @ Magic
Sunday, Dec. 08 | 6:30 PM | Kia Center (Orlando, FL) | Get Tickets
Replay: Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
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