Orlando, FL – In a marquee matchup between New York and Orlando for the 4th seed, the Magic came up short with a 74-98 loss. In this tight playoff race, a loss against a potential playoff opponent hurts.
Orlando simply had an off game, with the team having struggles getting shots to fall all game long, as seen with their 34.2% field goal percentage and 23.1% three-point percentage.
Orlando’s All-Star Paolo Banchero led the Magic’s efforts with 23 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and four blocks, displaying his scoring versatility and defensive tenacity. He was helping in the paint all game to cut Knicks players off from getting an open lane or scoring easy points down low.
Despite Paolo’s great defensive positioning, the team struggled as a defensive unit, with the Magic allowing 16 threes to be hit throughout the game at an insane 48.5% clip. Orlando’s key players like Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. faced some challenges on the offensive end. Franz Wagner, who had been a consistent force for the Magic, encountered a rare off-night, shooting at 30% from the field while WCJ got outclassed by Precious Achiwa all night and shot just a 25% field goal percentage. Jalen Suggs’ absence was felt throughout the game, seeing as the team was visibly missing someone to carry some of the scoring load and to check New York’s star players who were hot all game long.
The Knicks were able to capitalize on the Magic’s woes, with Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson delivering stellar performances with 19 and 26 points, respectively. Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims’ dominant presence on the boards, securing 20 rebounds combined, contributed significantly to the Knicks’ control of the game.
This excruciating loss resulted in the Magic slipping to the 5th seed in the standings. While the Magic’s quest for their first playoff race since the bubble, the team remains resilient and determined to bounce back toward the top to get a favorable matchup in the first round. The team will look to use their next game back at the Kia Center against the Pacers to get themselves back on track for playoff contention.
