Sports

Magic Gaming Announces 2024 NBA 2K League Schedule

Published

3 months ago

February 2, 2024

Orlando, Fla. (February 1, 2024) — Magic Gaming opens the 2024 NBA 2K League season on Thursday, February 29 at 6:00 p.m. as they face off against Pistons GT to begin group play in ‘SLAM OPEN’ 3v3 tournament. The season opener will be livestreamed on NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels. Magic Gaming will finish group play with games against Gen. G Tigers of Shanghai, NBL Oz Gaming, and Hornet Venom GT.

In addition, Magic Gaming will tip-off 5v5 gameplay on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. against Cavs Legion GC, to open ‘THE TIPOFF’ 5v5 tournament. Magic Gaming is scheduled to play three in-person games this season, including ‘SWITCH OPEN’ group play finale on Saturday, March 23 against Heat Check Gaming at 6:00 p.m. at Kia Center.

2024 Magic Gaming Roster

NAME GAMER TAG FROM POSITION ROUND/PICK

Joshua Hunter unguardable Richmond, Va. PG 1^st/5^th(2022)

Darjean Henderson ReturnofDJ Detroit, Mich. SG 3^rd/52^nd (2022)

Justin Stemerman Snubby New Canaan, Conn. SF 1^st/18^th (2020)

Julian Manzanares JBoolin Kissimmee, Fla. PF 1^st/3^rd(2024)

Ashton Agredano LowkeyGodlike Converse, Texas C 1^st/21^st (2023)

The 2024 NBA 2K League season will be split between 3v3 and 5v5 gameplay modes. Each of the 3v3 regular season tournaments (SLAM OPEN and SWITCH OPEN), the STEAL OPEN, and the NBA 2K League 3v3 Playoffs and Finals will take place before the start of the traditional 5v5 season.

Community teams who advanced during the 2024 3v3 Open Qualifiers last month will have the opportunity to participate alongside NBA 2K League teams for a share of the 3v3 tournament prize pool in the NBA2KL 3v3 BLACKTOP SERIES. THE BANNER CHAIN SERIES Powered by AT&T and the NBA 2K League 5v5 Playoffs presented by Google Pixel will continue to feature only NBA 2K League teams.

All 25 teams will compete in THE TIPOFF, THE TURN, SLAM OPEN and SWITCH OPEN. The top five performing teams in each conference at the end of the regular season will automatically qualify for the NBA 2KL 3v3 and 5v5 Playoffs. The 15 remaining teams will compete in THE TICKET, with the winning teams from the two conferences earning the final two spots in the 12-team Playoffs. Over the course of the season, the NBA 2K League will award $2 million in cash prizes.

Season seven of the NBA 2K League will conclude on Saturday, June 29 with the 2024 NBA 2K League 5v5 Finals. For more information on the 2024 NBA 2K League season click HERE.

Magic Gaming will also host its annual media day on Mon., Feb. 5 at AdventHealth Training Center from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Media will have the exclusive opportunity to get to know the team with players, coach and staff interviews and photo/video opportunities. Media interested in attending must RSVP to Louis Axen, laxen@orlandomagic.com, to be approved and placed on the security list at AdventHealth Training Center.

Magic Gaming’s 2024 NBA 2K League Schedule:

February – April: 3v3 Gameplay
- February 28 – March 16 SLAM OPEN Group Play (Remote)
- Thursday, February 29 vs. Pistons GT (Remote) 6:00 p.m. EST
- Thursday, February 29 @ Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai (Remote) 7:30 p.m. EST
- Friday, March 1 vs. NBL Oz Gaming (Remote) 6:45 p.m. EST
- Sunday, March 3 @ Hornets Venom GT (In-Person) 2:00 p.m. EST
- March 20 – April 6 SWITCH OPEN Group Play (Remote)
- Wednesday, March 20 @ Pistons GT (Remote) 7:30 p.m. EST
- Thursday, March 21 @ DUX Infinitos (Remote) 6:45 p.m. EST
- Thursday, March 21 vs. Hornets Venom GT (Remote) 9:00 p.m. EST
- Saturday, March 23 vs. Heat Check Gaming (In-Person/Kia Center) 6:00 p.m. EST
- April 19 – 20 STEAL OPEN
- April 24 – 27 NBA 2KL 3v3 Playoffs and Finals (District E, Washington, D. C.)
May – June: 5v5 Gameplay
- May 8 – 25 THE TIPOFF Group Play (Remote)
- Wednesday, May 8 @ Cavs Legion GC (Remote) 7:00 p.m. EST
- Thursday, May 9 vs. Wizards District Gaming (Remote) 9:00 p.m. EST
- Friday, May 10 vs. NBL Oz Gaming (Remote) 6:00 p.m. EST
- Wednesday, May 15 @ Nets GC (Remote) 8:00 p.m. EST
- Thursday, May 16 vs. Cavs Legion GC (Remote) 7:00 p.m. EST
- Friday, May 17 @ Raptors Uprising GC (Remote) 6:00 p.m. EST
- May 29 – June 15 THE TURN Group Play (Remote)
- Wednesday, May 29 @ Celtics Crossover Gaming (Remote) 7:00 p.m. EST
- Thursday, May 30 vs. Raptors Uprising GC (Remote) 8:00 p.m. EST
- Saturday, June 1 vs. Hawks Talon GC (In-Person/leAD Lake Nona) 2:00 p.m. EST
- Wednesday, June 5 vs. Nets GC (Remote) 6:00 p.m. EST
- Wednesday, June 5 @ Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai (Remote) 8:00 p.m. EST
- Friday, June 7 @ 76ers GC (Remote) 7:00 p.m. EST
- June 18 – 22 THE TICKET
- June 26 – 29 NBA 2KL 5v5 Playoffs and Finals (District E, Washington, D. C.)

Sports

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

Published

3 days ago

May 8, 2024

FNN SPORTS

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Before the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Stevan McAleer received instructions from Gradient Racing owner Andris Laivins:

Just finish the race.

It had been a rough start to the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for Gradient’s No. 66 Acura NSX GT3. A mechanical problem at the Rolex 24 At Daytona resulted in a 19th-place finish in the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) class. A crash in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Cadillac left the team in 14th place in GTD standings.

The just-finish instruction led McAleer to ask a specific question of Laivins:

“What happens if we’re P4 fighting for P3?’” McAleer said. “He said, ‘I just want to finish this race.’”

Oddly enough, that scenario – fourth fighting for third – is precisely where McAleer found himself in the final minutes at Long Beach.

“I came on the radio and said, ‘How badly do you guys want this podium?’” McAleer said. “I think I scared them a little bit. To be fair, I didn’t really have anything for Mike Skeen at the end, but it was a great weekend.”

Funny how a basic finish can revitalize things. McAleer, moved to a full-time role after the team parted with Katherine Legge in early April, helped Gradient Racing improve to 12th in the GTD championship points standings heading into this weekend’s Motul Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“You could see the relief on the team’s faces,” McAleer said. “Fourth place to me is maybe not great – I’m always after some of the biggest trophies – but it was certainly a win for a team whose last couple of races had been unlucky.”

Now he and co-driver Sheena Monk press forward to WeatherTech Raceway, where McAleer has memories of a victory in 2016 with Freedom Autosport in what is now the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. WeatherTech Raceway’s offseason repaving project is the first topic of conversation leading into the weekend.

“It will be interesting to see how that suits the Acura,” McAleer said. “Looking at the lap times from last year, the car definitely had some pace. It didn’t look like it was the fastest, but it was in a window that I can work with.”

McAleer’s newfound duties with Gradient Racing are added to his already crowded schedule, joining his previous commitment to co-drive the No. 28 RS1 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport with Trent Hindman in the Michelin Pilot Challenge. McAleer will race in both series this weekend, along with his extensive coaching obligations that include co-ownership of a Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin team with four cars entered.

In his world, a busy schedule is beneficial.

“The constant being in a race car regardless of what it is has always helped me adapt to something that I’m maybe not necessarily familiar with,” McAleer said. “People might have concerns with that, like maybe you’re not going to be as efficient as you could be. I disagree. Each car has a limit, and it’s my goal to find it. I thoroughly enjoy it.”

McAleer, who spent last weekend coaching drivers in another series at Sebring International Raceway, has multiple student clients in different series. Add his involvement with go-kart racing to his coaching and driving, and he’s eternally busy.

“That’s all deliberate for me,” McAleer said. “I’ve seen drivers’ careers disappear overnight for whatever reason – they get hurt, they move on to something else, or the team retires. There are so many variables in this sport just because of the sheer amount of funding it takes to run programs. … If I have 10 programs going, I know without a doubt that 10 programs are not going to disappear overnight.”

So, he aims for the weekend, with a crowded calendar, a never-give-up attitude, and few complaints.

“I would argue that there is nobody in the paddock as busy as I am from a driving standpoint, but that’s my own doing,” McAleer said. “When I complain that I’m tired, my wife tells me quite quickly that I did it to myself.”

Sports

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

Published

2 weeks ago

April 25, 2024

FNN NEWS

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.

Sports

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

Published

3 weeks ago

April 21, 2024

Willie David

Orlando Magic (47-35, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Cleveland; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Cavaliers -6; over/under is 202.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers lead series 1-0

BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference first round with a 1-0 lead in the series. The Cavaliers won the last meeting 97-83 on April 20 led by 30 points from Donovan Mitchell, while Paolo Banchero scored 24 points for the Magic.

The Cavaliers are 31-21 in Eastern Conference games. Cleveland is fifth in the Eastern Conference at limiting opponent scoring, giving up only 110.2 points while holding opponents to 46.3% shooting.

The Magic are 32-20 in conference matchups. Orlando has a 6-9 record in one-possession games.

The Cavaliers are shooting 47.9% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points higher than the 47.4% the Magic allow to opponents. The Magic are shooting 47.6% from the field, 1.3% higher than the 46.3% the Cavaliers’ opponents have shot this season

TOP PERFORMERS: Jarrett Allen is averaging 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Max Strus is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero (5) shoots a 3-point basket over Cleveland Cavaliers' Georges Niang (20) during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)

Magic can’t overcome miserable shooting performance in Game 1 playoff loss to Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates an offensive foul against the Orlando Magic during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)

Donovan Mitchell scores 30, Cavaliers open playoffs with tough-minded 97-83 win in Game 1 over Magic

FILE - Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, left, drives to the basket as center Jarrett Allen (31) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. Game 1 of the Cavaliers playoffs series against the Orlando Magic starts Saturday, April 20. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Cavaliers feel better prepared for playoff stage after ’23 flop, face Magic in first-round series

Banchero is scoring 22.6 points per game and averaging 6.9 rebounds for the Magic. Jalen Suggs is averaging 1.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 5-5, averaging 110.9 points, 40.4 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 8.7 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.6 points per game.

Magic: 5-5, averaging 108.1 points, 40.6 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.6 points.

INJURIES: Cavaliers: Ty Jerome: out (ankle), Dean Wade: day to day (knee), Craig Porter Jr.: day to day (ankle).

Magic: None listed.