With the Magic losing Franz Wagner (torn oblique), everyone had the same question: who would step up in their absence? The answer? Practically everyone who touched the court. Each player had 6+ points, with the leading scorers being Jalen Suggs (26) and Goga Bitadze (21). The Magic had possibly their gutsiest win of the season as they improve to 9-0 at home in their 115-110 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Each quarter had a different standout Magic player. Before the game Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley used the "by committee" phrase as he usually does, but tonight it was 100x more important than usual that it was done by committee.
In the second half, it was Suggs and Bitadze who gave the Suns all they could handle. In the third, Bitadze took over as he scored ten points and six rebounds (five offensive rebounds!!!). For the game, he also achieved a career high in rebounds with 16. In the postgame press conference, I got to ask Goga about his mindset when he's snagging rebounds left and right. The initial response was much better than the actual answer. Give this a watch.
Suggs' third quarter was a preview of what was to come in the fourth, as he did nothing short of "getting busy." He tallied eight points in the third, going 2-4 from downtown. Suggs left his finger prints all over the second half after essentially being bench due to turnovers in the first quarter. Without a doubt, his best sequence came in the final frame -- Suggs hit a three in transition (https://x.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1865934893017862539), grabbed the rebound on the other end, and had an impressive dime to Anthony Black to put the Magic up 105-100.
In the postgame press conference, when asked about Jalen Suggs playing with a new pressure due to the new team dynamic, Jamahl Mosley said:
I think he did a great job, and he knows how special he is defensively, we know how special he is defensively...I think he embraces (pressure) when it comes to being and doing the right thing for the team. That's who he is. I mean, he made big shots, but he also got big stops down the stretch.
Suggs said he recently wrote in his journal saying, "(I'm) trying to find as many opportunities to find joy." One thing is for sure -- he does a great job playing with joy, and it was on full display tonight.
How We Got There
After starting with a 13-9 lead for the Magic, thanks to a ridiculous Jalen Suggs fadeaway, Royce O'neal knocked down a triple to spark what would become a 17-2 run for the Suns.
Then, enter Moritz Wagner with 3:43 left in the first quarter. With Orlando down 11, Wagner earns an assist on a pass to Cole Anthony, who also played a huge part in the win. Wagner wasn't done in the quarter yet, as he collected two offensive rebounds that led to points, along with a three-pointer. The Magic found themselves down just five points after being down 26-15 just minutes prior.
Early in the second quarter, the Magic capitalized on their momentum with a 14-2 run, comprised of more Cole and Moe -- a bucket for Moe and a 27-footer from the perimeter by Cole. The Suns would retaliate and lead 52-47 at the half.
Up Next: NBA Cup Knockout Round One
Tuesday night will be an incredible test, to say the least, as the Magic travel to Milwaukee for round one of the knockout round of the Emirates NBA Cup. With no Franz or Paolo, the Magic can just hope that Jonathan Isaac and Gary Harris will be able to play, to add to the amount of bodies active. Both teams are 8-2 in their last ten games.
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