Sports

GAME 3: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic Crushed Cleveland Cavaliers 121-83

Published

12 months ago

April 25, 2024

ORLANDO — Paolo Banchero and Orlando Magic are celebrating their first playoff win at home in 13 years after crushing the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-83 on Thursday night at the Kia Center.

The win cuts the Magic’s deficit 2-1 in the series as they look towards evening things up on Saturday at home.

NBA Playoffs Game 3: Orlando Magic Paolo Banchero. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Paolo Banchero | 31 points and 14 rebounds

On how much of a role the home fans played tonight…

“They played a huge role, you know. I don’t think people realize how much of a difference it makes, you know, when you make a play, or you score and the whole arena erupts every single time. It just gives you a huge energy boost and it makes you forget that you’re tired or whatever

it may be. Definitely give a lot of credit to the Magic faithful.”

On what point tonight he realized that he had it going…

“I would say when I made my first basket. I just threw it up and it went in. Because I missed the first like five or six and I knew that they were all pretty easy shots and that I was just too excited almost, too much energy. I shot a lot. Too strong left and right. So, I would say when the first one went in, and it wasn’t even supposed to go in. I was really trying to get a foul but that’s when I was like ‘ok. I’ve got it going from here.’”

NBA Playoffs Game 3: Orlando Magic Jalen Suggs. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Jalen Suggs | 24 points

On how much the home fans fueled the team tonight…

“Very much so. I mean, just the confidence that they give you after every bucket. You see everybody stand up, you hear everybody cheer [and] you hear the roars. You know, I think it excites you to come back down, get a stop [and] go do it again. It gives you a bit of extra motivation. Some juice. Some more pop in your step. So, it was definitely felt, and it was rocking in here today. Boy, that was fun. We [were] talking about it all game – just how lit, how energetic it is in there, and yeah, I’d like to keep doing this here.”

NBA Playoffs Game 3: Orlando Magic Frantz Wagner. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Franz Wagner | 16 points

On which point he realized that tonight was going to be the Magic’s night…

“Probably some time in the third or fourth quarter. I just think you get those leads by just going play by play and taking it from one moment to the next. I thought our urgency all night was really good. Our energy was great, everybody was really locked in, and we need a similar effort on Saturday.”

On what impressed him the most about Paolo Banchero’s performance tonight…

“I mean… the shot-making. That was pretty special. Extremely tough shots. Some against two defenders. It makes the game pretty easy for the rest of us.”

Orlando Magic will need to win three times in the next four games in order to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, something the franchise hasn’t done since 2010.

Up Next

Perpetual Man in Motion, McAleer Helps Raise Gradient’s Mojo

Don't Miss

Allen and the Cavaliers host Orlando with 1-0 series lead

Click to comment

Sports

Orlando Pride Drops First Match of 2025 Season in 1-0 Loss to Washington Spirit

Published

20 hours ago

April 20, 2025

Javier Garcia

Orlando Pride’s Marta advances the ball against a Washington Spirit player. Photo by Florida National News / Harry Castiblanco.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Orlando Pride (4-1-0, 12 pts) suffered their first defeat of the 2025 NWSL regular season, falling 1-0 to the Washington Spirit (4-1-0, 12 pts) on Saturday evening at Inter&Co Stadium. The narrow loss ended a dominant four-game winning streak to start the year and marked the first regular-season home defeat to the Spirit since 2019.

The game was defined by the Pride’s offensive pressure, totaling 20 shots and 11 corner kicks, yet they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. A key moment came in the 65th minute, when forward Barbra Banda’s header struck the crossbar, nearly equalizing the game.

Orlando Pride’s Marta shows disappointment over goal ruling. Photo by Florida National News / Harry Castiblanco

Controversial Goal Overturned

Orlando Pride appeared to tie the match in the second half when Marta sent in a corner kick that resulted in a goal, but following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed, leaving the home crowd frustrated.

Match-Winning Error

The lone goal of the match came in the 63rd minute, when Washington forward Gift Monday intercepted a misplayed pass from Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse and tapped it into the net. The mistake proved costly in a game the Pride largely dominated in possession (60%) and shots on goal (6-2).

Seb Hines Reacts to First Loss

“I think 99 percent of the match we did well. We played with intensity and put Washington under immense pressure,” said Head Coach Seb Hines post-match. “The frustration is when you dominate a game and don’t get anything out of it. The performance was good, but we have to move on.”

Match Highlights and Key Stats

Anna Moorhouse made her 34th consecutive regular season start, tying Ali Krieger’s Club record.
Moorhouse also broke the Club record for most consecutive minutes played at the 70-minute mark (3,060 minutes).
Angelina was named Heineken Star of the Match.
Oihane made her first career NWSL start.
Grace Chanda made her NWSL debut as a second-half substitute.
Kylie Nadaner now ranks second all-time in Pride appearances with 95.

What’s Next for Orlando Pride?

The Pride will remain home at Inter&Co Stadium as they look to bounce back against Angel City FC on Friday, April 25. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET and will air on Prime Video. Orlando will aim to get back in the win column and regain early-season momentum in front of their home crowd.

Javier Garcia and Harry Castiblanco
Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

Sports

Osceola Magic Fall to Stockton Kings in NBA G League Finals, 118-110

Published

5 days ago

April 15, 2025

Willie David

Photo by Florida National News / Pierredens Jeune

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Osceola Magic’s historic run came to a close Monday night as they fell to the Stockton Kings, 118-110, in Game 3 of the NBA G League Finals presented by YouTube TV. The showdown at Osceola Heritage Park ended in front of a sellout crowd of 3,421 fans, marking a bittersweet finish to an electrifying season.

Game Highlights

Ethan Thompson led the charge for Osceola with 28 points on 8-of-17 shooting.
Myron Gardner notched a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Dexter Dennis came off the bench to lead Stockton with 23 points, shooting 7-of-13 from the field and 3-of-5 from three.
Isaac Jones, on assignment from the Sacramento Kings, posted 21 points (8-of-11 FG) and 13 rebounds.
Mason Jones added 19 points and 13 assists for Stockton and was named NBA G League Finals MVP.

The game got off to a scrappy, high-energy start as both teams battled for momentum. Despite holding a narrow lead at halftime, the Magic struggled to contain the Kings’ bench unit in the fourth quarter, where Stockton surged ahead thanks to Dennis and Jones’s scoring bursts.

Game Highlights – Video

The Magic’s defensive efforts waned late, allowing the Kings to outpace them in fast breaks and capitalize on second-chance points. While Osceola pushed back in the final two minutes, the deficit proved too much to overcome.

What’s Next for Osceola Magic

With their season now complete, the Osceola Magic close out the 2024-25 NBA G League season with a 22-12 regular season record—a strong showing for the franchise since relocating to Kissimmee.

Fans interested in becoming part of the next chapter can secure 2025-26 season tickets now by visiting OsceolaMagic.com/2025-26-tickets.

_________________________________________________________________

J Willie David, III
Pierredens Jeune, Vdeiographer
Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

Sports

Mac McClung and Osceola Magic Fall 144-126 in Game 2, Set for Championship-Deciding Game 3

Published

1 week ago

April 12, 2025

Willie David

Getty Images: Osceola Mac McClung

STOCKTON, Calif. (FNN SPORTS) – The Osceola Magic fell short in Game 2 of the NBA G League Finals on Friday night, losing 144-126 to the Stockton Kings at Adventist Health Arena. With the series now tied 1-1, the championship will be decided in a winner-takes-all Game 3 on Monday, April 14 at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.

Despite the loss, the Magic saw four players score 20 or more points. Leading the charge was Mac McClung, who poured in 34 points and handed out 8 assists, showcasing the explosiveness that’s made him a three-time NBA Slam Dunk Champion. Jalen Slawson added 23 points against his former team, while Myron Gardner contributed 22 points, and Alex Morales chipped in 20.

However, the Stockton Kings were red-hot offensively. Mason Jones led the way with a 27-point, 12-assist double-double, while Skal Labissière added 26 points and 7 rebounds. The Kings were nearly unstoppable from the field, shooting a sizzling 56.7% overall and 58.5% from three-point range, knocking down 24 threes as a team.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR OSCEOLA MAGIC?
The NBA G League Finals, presented by YouTube TV, return to Osceola Heritage Park for a decisive Game 3 on Monday, April 14. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

Fans attending the game will have the chance to snag exclusive merch—the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a limited-edition Osceola Magic G League Finals T-shirt, courtesy of AdventHealth.

_______________________________________________________________________

J Willie David, III
Sports@Florida National News.com