DENVER – The Orlando Magic (20-15) stunned the Denver Nuggets (25-12) with a 122-120 win at the Ball Center on Friday night. It marked the seventh time the Magic have reached twenty or more wins at the 35-game mark, their best record since the 2011-12 season.
Friday’s game was the type that keeps you awake at night.
The Orlando Magic were missing half of their roster due to injuries, still recovering from a double overtime loss against the Sacramento Kings. They’re on a four-game West Coast swing, engaging in highly competitive matches against the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors, albeit ending on the losing side.
Facing the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, in the rarefied atmosphere of Denver was the next challenge. Orlando had previously bested Denver 124-119 in their home game.
Suffering through a spate of injuries during this swing, Orlando was down to just 9 available players at the game’s outset. Antony Black, a solid defensive player and first-round pick for Orlando, went down within the first five minutes of the game. The situation appeared dire.
Nevertheless, this team is built on a foundation of mutual support, particularly during tough times.
Head Coach Jamahl Mosley’s mantra of “Next Man Up” has echoed throughout his three-year tenure with this group. On Friday night, they showcased their resilience.
“It’s who they are,” remarked Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “I don’t think there is any mistaking who this group is. We don’t make excuses. We come out, we fight – whoever steps on that floor is going to play hard, defend, play for each other, and they do it with a sense of joy and love for their teammates.”
Star forward Paolo Banchero led the charge with his first NBA triple-double, scoring 32 points alongside 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Banchero also excelled at the free-throw line, going 15 of 19.
Jalen Suggs contributed 27 points, achieving a career-high with seven 3-point shots in the game.
Due to injuries sidelining big men Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze, Moritz Wagner stepped up admirably with a double-double, scoring 13 points and securing 11 rebounds.
Orlando initially struggled, trailing as the Nuggets outscored them 37-28 in the first quarter and maintained a 67-54 lead by halftime, stretching to a 17-point advantage.
However, Orlando mounted a comeback, scoring 41 points in the third quarter. Cole Anthony, Mo Wagner, and Paolo played pivotal roles during this resurgence.
It was all hands on deck for the Magic, with Trevelin Queens, Admiral Schofield, and Caleb Houston all contributing to secure the win.
As the game approached its climax, Paolo Banchero made a pair of go-ahead free throws with 9.1 seconds remaining, sealing the victory at 122-120 following a fast break created off a steal. Jamal Murray missed a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer, shooting just 9-of-23 from the field and 0-of-6 from 3-point range.
Banchero’s performance propelled him into an elite group, becoming one of only seven players in NBA history to achieve a 30-10-10-three game before turning 22 years old. Joining the ranks of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Steph Curry, and Luka Doncic, his feat is remarkable.
“He’s special. He’s beyond special,” Mosley praised Banchero. “I’ve seen a lot of special players in this league. He’s one of them. He’s not even scratched the surface of what he’s capable of doing. But more importantly is the fact that he’s doing it the right way and leading his team to try and find ways to win.”
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 29 points, eight assists, and four rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. added 22 points, while Jamal Murray contributed 20 points in the game.
Orlando now returns home to face the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, January 7th, at the Kia Center.
Shaq Get’s His Number Retired
Orlando, FL — The Orlando Magic, celebrating their 35th anniversary this season, will officially retire jersey #32 in honor of Shaquille O’Neal during a postgame ceremony on Tuesday, February 13. O’Neal becomes the first player in franchise history to have his number retired.
The #32 will be retired following the Magic’s game against Oklahoma City. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available through OrlandoMagic.com or by calling 1-800-4-NBATIX. The game will be nationally televised by TNT.
“When someone asks who was the first player to officially put the Orlando Magic on the map, the answer is simple – Shaquille O’Neal,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “He took this franchise to new heights, both on and off the court, and his legacy is still felt within our organization today. On behalf of the DeVos family, we are excited to honor Shaquille by raising #32 into the rafters of the Kia Center, where it will remain forever.”
Magic Chairman Dan DeVos said, “Through his dominating play, larger-than-life personality, and generous contributions to The City Beautiful, Shaquille O’Neal had a transformational impact on this team and this town. Our family and the entire franchise couldn’t be more pleased for Shaquille to receive this well-deserved honor, further cementing his enduring legacy here in Orlando as we collectively look back on his tremendous accomplishments in a Magic uniform.”
Selected by Orlando with the first overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft, O’Neal spent four seasons with the Magic from 1992-96. He appeared in 295 regular season games (293 starts) with Orlando, averaging 27.2 ppg., 12.5 rpg., 2.4 apg. and 2.79 blkpg. in 37.8 minpg., while shooting .581 (3,208-5,522 FG) from the floor.
O’Neal was named an NBA All-Star four times as a member of the Magic, named to the All-NBA Second Team once (1994-95) and All-NBA Third Team twice (1993-94, 1995-96). He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1992-93 and was the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
O’Neal still ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in several categories, including blocked shots (second, 824), rebounding (third, 3,691), free throws made (third, 1,602), field goals made (fourth, 3,208) and points scored (sixth, 8,019). His 27.2 points per game average is the second-highest in team history and he helped Orlando reach the 1995 NBA Finals.
O’Neal was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame in 2015 and was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. He was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in October 2021.
