Sports
Orlando Magic Secures Dominant 116-101 Victory Over Brooklyn Nets in Home Opener
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic launched their 2024-2025 NBA season on a high note, clinching a decisive 116-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets at the Kia Center Friday night. Coach Jamahl Mosley praised the team’s defensive execution and resilience, key factors that set the stage for their first home victory.
Postgame Takeaways from Coach Mosley:
- On the team’s defense and resilience: “I’m very happy with our guy’s ability to respond. These are great lessons…our ability to keep our poise…it wasn’t pretty; it was clunky. But our guys did a good job of making sure they figured it out at the end.”
- Regarding the physicality of the game: “Listen, Cole [Anthony] gets taken out of the air twice. I love physicality; I’m all for it. I’m also for [the] safety of players. Our guys did a great job of keeping their resolve…we’ve grown in that regard tonight.”
- On Paolo Banchero’s playmaking and ball control: “His ability to navigate and find open guys was key. Brooklyn threw different defenses at him, and he managed it beautifully, helping us capitalize on open shots.”
- On Anthony Black’s leadership and skill: “Anthony Black has been great…constantly working with our coaches. He’s an ultimate competitor, both defensively and offensively, pushing the pace and settling the team when needed.”
- On Franz Wagner’s quick start: “It’s our depth that makes this team great. Franz got us rolling early, and it’s our willingness to support each other that’s going to keep us competitive.”
- On the team’s focus on defense: “We have to hang our hat on the defensive end. There was a stretch we got five stops in a row, which fueled our offensive break. That’s what we’re focused on—the defensive end.”
With strong performances from Paolo Banchero, Anthony Black, Franz Wagner, and Cole Anthony, the Magic showcased both depth and resilience, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.
________________________________________
J Willie David, III contributed to this report.
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Davison scores 26 points, Branham adds 23 and Osceola records 23 steals to open its season with a victory at Silver Spurs Arena.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Osceola Magic opened their season with a record-setting defensive performance, collecting 23 steals and forcing 35 turnovers in a 97-89 victory over the Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Silver Spurs Arena.
JD Davison scored a game-high 26 points and Malaki Branham added 23 as Osceola established a franchise record for steals and matched its record for opponent turnovers. Osceola Magic
Defense drives the comeback
Oklahoma City led 31-22 after the first quarter and 44-43 at halftime. Osceola pulled even at 70 entering the fourth quarter, then outscored the Blue 27-19 over the final period.
The victory gave Osceola a 1-0 start and dropped Oklahoma City to 0-2. Zhaire Smith led the Blue with 19 points, while Christoph Tilly contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. gleague.nba.com
Osceola’s defensive pressure helped offset Oklahoma City’s early advantage. The Blue finished just 5 of 29 from 3-point range, shooting 17.2%.
Six Magic players recorded multiple steals, led by Johnell Davis’ career-high six — one short of the franchise record. Davison collected four, Jarron Cumberland had three, and Ace Baldwin Jr., Branham and Mike Sharavjamts each added two.
Malaki Branham leans into his drive while keeping his dribble low as an Oklahoma City Blue defender guards him during the Osceola Magic’s season opener. Photo by Bernie Walls / Florida National News.
Davison and Branham lead the offense
Davison and Branham combined for 49 points, accounting for more than half of Osceola’s scoring.
Au’Diese Toney contributed 14 points in his return to Osceola, including a late 3-pointer that helped secure the victory.
Davis provided another boost off the bench with 11 points and a career-best-tying four assists, complementing his disruptive defensive performance.
Sharavjamts makes professional debut
Sharavjamts posted a team-best plus-12 rating in 24 minutes during his professional debut. Osceola outscored Oklahoma City by 12 points while he was on the floor. Osceola Magic
What’s next for the Osceola Magic?
Following a scheduled road matchup with the Memphis Hustle on Tuesday, Nov. 10, Osceola returns to Silver Spurs Arena to host the Mexico City Capitanes on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Member News
The Magic’s challenge will be to sustain the defensive pressure that helped them overcome an early nine-point deficit in the opener.
NEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.
Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.
“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.
LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.
The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.
A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.
Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls
Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.
A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry
The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.
Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:
“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”
— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.
South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Central Florida News5 days agoFlorida Puerto Rican Lawmakers’ First-Term Impact: FNN Audit Reviews Bills Becoming Law, 1999–2026
Business2 days agoGetty Images files for Chapter 11. What comes next for Florida photographers and videographers?
Sports5 days agoLIV Golf to begin winding down operations Nov. 9 after five years, $5 billion spent
Central Florida News20 hours agoDarren Soto defeats Gov. Ron DeSantis’ gerrymandered map, narrowly wins reelection
Central Florida News8 hours agoOsceola Magic Set Franchise Steals Record in 97-89 Season-Opening Win
