Magic’s Valiant Fight Falls Short to Bucks, Bouncing Orlando from NBA Cup

Magic’s Valiant Fight Falls Short to Bucks, Bouncing Orlando from NBA Cup

The Orlando Magic showed incredible resilience in their NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night, despite being severely undermanned. Without their two best players, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, losing 114-109. With the loss, Orlando’s NBA Cup run came to an end in Milwaukee.

A Shorthanded Team That Fought Hard

Missing key players due to injuries, including Jonathan Isaac and Gary Harris, Orlando entered the game as the underdog. Despite the absence of their stars, the Magic relied on their strong team defense and a collective offensive effort to challenge the Bucks. The Magic’s defensive strategy is built around ensuring all five players contribute to the game plan, and even without their top performers, they fought hard.

Coach Jamahl Mosley praised his team’s effort, saying, “I can’t be more proud of their effort, their energy, their sticking together throughout the runs within the game that shows continued growth for this team.”

Jalen Suggs Shines in Defeat

Despite the setback, Jalen Suggs delivered a career-high 32 points, with 18 of those coming in the game’s final 12 minutes. Suggs also contributed nine rebounds and four steals, giving the Magic hope late in the game. His individual performance sparked a rally, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. Suggs reflected on the game: “We took a championship-level team… to the brink. A game we should’ve had, in my opinion.”

Other Magic players who reached double figures included Anthony Black (17 points), Moe Wagner (13 points), Goga Bitadze (12 points, 14 rebounds), and Jett Howard (10 points). The team forced 16 turnovers, including 11 steals, but it was ultimately Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard who proved too much for Orlando.

Bucks’ Star Duo Powers to Victory

The Milwaukee Bucks were led by the dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Antetokounmpo dominated with 37 points, including a remarkable 15-of-24 shooting, while Lillard added 28 points on 8-of-15 shooting. The two stars combined for 28 consecutive points in the middle of the game and closed out the contest by contributing the final 16 points for the Bucks.

Looking Ahead: Magic’s Next Steps

With the NBA Cup dream now over, Orlando is already turning its focus to the next phase of the season. The Magic await the outcome of the other Eastern Conference quarterfinal between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks. If New York wins, the Magic will head to Atlanta for a game on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. ET. If Atlanta wins, Orlando will play New York on the same day at 6 p.m. ET at the Kia Center.

Conclusion

While the Orlando Magic’s NBA Cup hopes were dashed, their performance in Milwaukee, especially given their depleted roster, highlighted the potential and heart of this young team. The loss was a hard-fought battle, and the Magic’s ability to compete with one of the best teams in the league despite significant injuries will serve as motivation as they move forward in the season.