The Magic Insider

Thunder 84, Magic 81: Orlando Takes First Summer League Loss as Paolo Banchero Sits

The Magic come from behind to win and stay unbeaten.

Jeremy Brener

Thunder 84, Magic 81: Orlando Takes First Summer League Loss as Paolo Banchero Sits
Thunder 84, Magic 81: Orlando Takes First Summer League Loss as Paolo Banchero Sits /

In its last game, the Orlando Magic learned that no lead in the NBA was safe after surrendering an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings.

Tonight, the team applied what it learned in a 84-81 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While it was only a three-point loss, the beginning of the game didn't look like it would be a close one.

Orlando had a chance to tie the game with less than 20 seconds left, but the team missed three consecutive three-point shots.

The Thunder torched the Magic in the first quarter, building a lead as large as 20. Oklahoma City started four players with NBA experience and Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. 

On the flip side, the Magic opted to challenge its depth in the third game by sitting No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero ... who may have suffered an injury after Saturday's game. Veterans Admiral Schofield and R.J. Hampton also were dealt a DNP-CD.

The Magic was able to claw back in the game in the second quarter and simply began to chip away. After trailing by 20 late in the first quarter, the deficit at halftime was nine points.

Ultimately, the Magic brought it to within a score late in the fourth quarter, but Orlando couldn't get the final stop, leading to its first loss of Summer League.

Former Kings wing Justin James and rookie Tommy Kuhse helped lead the comeback, both scoring in double figures off the bench. Devin Cannady also shined with 12 points.

It would have been intriguing to watch Banchero battle Holmgren as the two will be forever linked as the top picks of the 2022 NBA Draft, but opting to play it safe during the summer has the Magic coming out of tonight as a winner even if the scoreboard doesn't indicate that.

The Magic return to action Thursday as the team faces the New York Knicks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Published
Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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