Philip Rossman-Reich here, the host of the daily Locked On Magic podcast, with your daily Locked On Magic newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Magic and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Jalen Suggs wears the pain and glory of stardom
Dec 10, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu/Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Jalen Suggs wears his emotions on his sleeve. There is no denying what he is feeling at any given moment.
It is what endears him to everyone around him. When things are going well, he smiles from ear to ear and his emotions constantly drive and energize his team.
After Tuesday’s 114-109 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, Suggs was dour. The usually emotive and joyful Suggs sat at the table in an auxiliary locker room inside Fiserv Forum and seemed to speak barely above a whisper.
It did not feel like a game where Suggs’ career-high 32 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter when the Magic’s chances at victory were on life support. It did not feel like a game that caused the Inside the NBA crew to proclaim Suggs would be an All-Star soon, joining Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero on this young Magic team.
Suggs was taking and putting the loss completely on himself, unfairly perhaps. But that is the responsibility of a star, even one that has been thrust into that spotlight.
That Suggs took his responsibility so seriously and took this loss so hard speaks to what endears him to everyone. He leaves everything on the floor and these games mean everything to him.
That is why everyone loves him.
He took the responsibility hard for the loss Tuesday. It was clear in his soft-spoken press conference.
“Just again another opportunity to keep us in the game,” Suggs said. “I had one to go ahead and another one to tie it up. To miss two of them when everyone is looking to me and drew something up for me to go get one just really hurts to be honest. Good night, bad night, whatever it was I like winning. I don’t like letting my brothers down. It felt like I let them down.”
Suggs was thinking about the shots he missed more than the ones he made.
He missed two critical three-pointers down the stretch – a pull-up three he missed with about 15 seconds left and the Magic down by one and a corner three with the team down by three that sealed their fate in this one.
Never mind that Suggs’ efforts and shot-making brought the Magic into the lead down the stretch and that he took and made a lot of shots with the confidence and swagger of a star player. Never mind that he is new to the role with the Magic playing only two games since Franz Wagner’s injury and has completely embraced every part of it and thrived in it – he had 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win over the Phoenix Suns. Never mind that Suggs has always risen his game to the moment throughout his career.
Suggs was still dwelling on shots that did not fall – not only the ones against the Bucks but his misses late in the loss to the Philadelphia 76ers with a chance to climb the Magic all the way back.
Suggs expects a lot from himself. And he expects success. It is written all over him every time he takes the floor.
The Magic do not want that to change about him. They want him to feel all his feelings. He has worked hard to make sure those negative feelings do not linger.
With the NBA Cup on the line, Suggs wore his emotions on his sleeve after the game. He felt the pain of that loss. That is the responsibility of a star. He is embracing that too.
And that is what everyone loves about him. These games mean something to him.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) waves to the crowd after making a three point shot in against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter during game five in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. | Wendell Cruz/Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
A strange development of last night’s first round of quarter finals matchups is that I wasn’t anticipating having my heart break for the Orlando Magic. What an effort by a team that has been told over and over again that they are both down and out, and still refuses to acknowledge the veracity of either point.
Orlando’s game against Milwaukee felt contentious, engaged, and energetic, a game with stakes. The NBA Cup has been drawing out competition across the board but I have to give the Magic credit for showing up on the stage the tournament set. That was all them, and all heart.
But enough gushing (for now), onto tonight’s final two games.
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks
There are a handful of athletes in the NBA, anywhere really, comfortable with playing the villain. Trae Young is one of them. Young has leaned into every opportunity to add fuel to the fire of Knicks’ fans disdain for the showy shooter, a grudge going strong since the 2021 playoffs.
It’ll be tougher for Young to take a bow against this Knicks team.
Though they were slower to get on the same page, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have synced up as maybe the best and most overpowering offensive duo in the league. The Knicks are first overall in points scored per 100 possessions since the start of this season, and second overall in their effective field goal percentage. In their efficiency differential — points per 100 possessions minus points allowed — they trail only the heavy hitters of the season: OKC, Boston, Cleveland and Memphis. Things are clicking in New York.
The Hawks have had a string of injuries, notably Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanovic/ De’Andre Hunter and Young himself are both listed as probable for the game in New York. The silver lining, beyond whatever happens inside Young’s brain when he gets within the municipality limits for New York City, is that the Hawks have a 5-1 record against the Cavs, Celtics, Knicks and Bucks this season — this team loves to play up. They’ve also taken a defensive jump, are 6th in the league for offensive rebounds thanks to Johnson, rookie Zaccharie Risacher has been a boon, and Atlanta doesn’t mind playing the pest.
Whether this will be the kind of number found on Broadway or off, it’ll be a show.
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
What the Rockets aren’t generous about is their defence — the team is one of the most smothering defenders in the league. What they are generous about have been their fines, with head coach Ime Udoa and guard Fred VanVleet ponying up (you’ll be happy to know all fines go to charity). Houston will need all of its efforts in the former to beat the Warriors tonight.
Where the Rockets can’t do much defensively has been way out in the offensive no man’s land of the floor, the place where Steph Curry thrives. The Warriors have a 15 game winning streak going against Houston, largely because of Curry, in general, and lately because of where he capitalizes his efforts against a young team he can easily disorganize with his disruptive shooting.
Houston’s opportunities come in second chance points when they blitz the glass, in pressuring turnovers, and in playing very close basketball. The Rockets are one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA and yet, they’ve made it work, digging in to make every possession matter. The Warriors are in a slump, but the duo of Curry and Draymond Green can make light work of any team when they’re on the floor, Jonathan Kuminga continues to climb, and head coach Steve Kerr’s said that Andrew Wiggins should see minutes tonight.
Udoka called the Rockets last game against the Warriors, when they were thoroughly pummelled, one of the team’s “softest games” since his arrival, so there’s plenty of incentive for Houston to take the win tonight. Those are also the kinds of games, and hopes, that Steph Curry loves to snuff out like a candle.
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
Injury The Orlando Magic will miss key players against the Milwaukee Bucks due to injuries, including Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Bucks will also be without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Orlando Magic face the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals at Fiserv Forum. Key players to watch include Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero. Game preview. (Orlando Sentinel)
Analysis As the Orlando Magic prepare for the NBA Cup, the spotlight is on Caleb Houstan and Cole Anthony’s performances. Jamahl Mosley discusses strategy and player contributions. (Orlando Sentinel)
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Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Takeaways From Tuesday’s NBA Cup Games
Dec 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and center Dereck Lively II (2) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
NBA Cup Quarterfinals: Winners, Losers, and Fantasy Takeaways
Two of the four NBA Cup quarterfinal games are in the books, and it’s time to dissect the outcomes and what it means for fantasy managers.
One of the most pressing issues is the status of Immanuel Quickley. Despite the frustration surrounding his limited playtime due to injury, I firmly believe in his potential as a top 50 player this season. However, if you’re struggling with multiple injuries on your roster, it might be time to reconsider holding onto him. Evaluate your roster carefully and weigh Quickley’s potential against the immediate needs of your team.
Scottie Barnes’ situation is equally concerning. Although initial X-rays were negative, the possibility of a Lisfranc injury looms large. If confirmed, this could sideline Barnes for a significant portion of the season. Fantasy managers should brace for his absence and explore alternative options to fill the void.
Waiver Wire Trends and Player Evaluations
The waiver wire has been buzzing with activity, and several players have emerged as hot commodities. Kelly Olynyk’s rise in popularity is likely a response to Barnes’ injury, but his role remains uncertain. While Olynyk is a solid fantasy option, his long-term value is questionable given his defensive limitations and the presence of younger, more versatile players.
Cole Anthony’s recent performance has sparked debate among fantasy managers. Despite a lackluster shooting night, the decision to add him was sound, given the Magic’s need for shot generation. It’s crucial to focus on the process rather than the immediate results when evaluating players like Anthony. His role may fluctuate, but the potential for future contributions remains.
Click the button below to get a full breakdown on who fantasy managers should keep an eye on after last night’s games.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks: NBA Cup Quarterfinals at a crossroads The Orlando Magic hoped to enter the NBA Cup knockout rounds with a healthy roster. But with the injury to Franz Wagner, their quarterfinal game against the Milwaukee Bucks comes at a time where the team is at a crossroads trying to rediscover how they will play.
Franz Wagner’s injury: How will Orlando Magic adapt? Franz Wagner’s injury leaves the Orlando Magic facing a pivotal moment. How will the team adapt without their rising star?
Why Jalen Suggs is key to Orlando Magic’s offensive revival The Orlando Magic’s extreme shooting woes showed up again in their loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. While fatigue from the team’s road-heavy early schedule played a factor, the Magic’s weaknesses continue to be apparent.
