SACRAMENTO – After finishing the 2022-23 season with a 34-48 record, the Orlando Magic are showing signs that they can be a legitimate league contender in the immediate future, if not right now.
In a 138-135 road loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday at the Golden 1 Center, the Magic flashed the budding potential of a young team ready to make a giant leap.
Despite a blistering offense that yielded 135 points on 48.9 percent shooting from the field, Orlando went toe-to-toe with the Kings before falling a little short in double overtime.
Paolo Banchero, the face of the franchise who was taken as the No.1 overall pick in the 2022 draft, dropped a career-high 43 points. 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Chuma Okeke added 19 while Jalen Suggs, who starred at Gonzaga, chipped in 24.
Orlando almost pulled off an upset victory playing without four injured players — Cole Anthony (bruised right quad), Jonathan Isaac (hamstring), Markelle Fultz (knee) and Joe Ingles (ankle).
Banchero swished a 3 that gave the Magic a 118-116 lead with 16 ticks to go in regulation. But Sacramento guard Malik Monk converted on a layup in the ensuing possession to force overtime.
After a 127-127 push in the first extra session, the Magic ran out of steam.
“We played a hell of a game. Despite everything that happened with injuries we gave ourselves a shot and that’s all we can ask for,” Banchero said in his post-game media availability.
Keegan Murray had 28 points to pace the Kings. Damontas Sabonis finished with 22 points and 23 rebounds. Harrison Barnes tallied 17 and De’Aaron Fox added 15 in a balanced assault.
For our guys to fight the way they fought and find a way in two overtimes, I applaud them because there were a handful of times we could have just cashed in,” Kings coach Mike Brown said.
