Sports
Osceola Magic Defeat Stockton Kings 129-118, One Win Away from G League Championship
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Osceola Magic are now just one win away from securing their first NBA G League Championship title. In Game 1 of the NBA G League Finals, Myron Gardner delivered a postseason career-high 30 points, including 21 in the second half, to power the Magic past the Stockton Kings 129-118 Tuesday night at Osceola Heritage Park.
Magic-Kings Highlights:
Myron Gardner scored 30 points and added six steals.
Mac McClung contributed 29 points and seven assists.
Osceola outscored Stockton 69-58 in the second half.
Terry Taylor led the Kings with 28 points on 11-18 shooting.
Skal Labissière posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The game was tightly contested through the first half, with both teams knotted at 60 by halftime. But the Magic came out blazing in the third quarter, sparked by Ethan Thompson, who scored eight of Osceola’s first 12 points in the quarter. That surge gave the Magic the momentum they needed to pull away and never look back.
Osceola Magic’s Mac McClung scores 29 points in Game 1 of the NBA G League Finals at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / Pierredens Jeune.
Mac McClung, the team’s reliable playoff performer, continued his dominant run by adding 29 points and seven assists, keeping the offensive tempo in Osceola’s favor. But the night truly belonged to Myron Gardner, who not only lit up the scoreboard but was a menace on defense with six steals.
Osceola Magic Coach Dylan Murphy speaks with his players during Game 1 of the NBA G League Finals at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / Pierredens Jeune.
Head Coach Dylan Murphy praised his team’s unselfish play and high basketball IQ:
“Our guys really shared the ball. I think that’s the most important thing at any level of basketball. Then, they have a really good feel for when someone’s got it going… Tonight it was Myron [Gardner]. I’m just standing there, watching them call plays for each other.”
What’s Next for the Osceola Magic:
The team now heads west to Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California for Game 2 on Friday, April 11 at 10 p.m. ET, which will air on ESPNews. A win would clinch the series and secure the championship for Osceola.
Other NBA News: Orlando Magic defeats Atlanta Hawks 119-112
Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks 119-112 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / Harry Castiblanco.
If a Game 3 is necessary, the series will return to Osceola Heritage Park on Monday, April 14 at 8 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN2. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive an exclusive Osceola Magic G League Finals t-shirt, courtesy of AdventHealth.
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J Willie David, III and Pierredens Jeune
Florida National News and FNN News Network
Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Shooting struggles and a costly third quarter leave Orlando winless through two games under first-year coach Sean Sweeney
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — A new coaching era has opened with consecutive losses for the Orlando Magic, who fell 115-93 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Kia Center.
Orlando dropped to 0-2 under first-year head coach Sean Sweeney as shooting struggles again slowed its offense. The Magic also struggled with turnovers and missed free throws, repeating problems from their season-opening loss to Atlanta. Yahoo Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards handles the ball as Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero contests the play at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Minnesota defeated Orlando 115-93. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.
Third-quarter struggles prove costly
Minnesota led 57-45 at halftime before taking control in the third quarter. The Timberwolves closed the period with a 17-3 run, building an 86-60 advantage heading into the fourth. Orlando could not recover from the 26-point deficit. reuters.com
Carter leads Orlando
Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Magic. Franz Wagner scored 18 points before fouling out, while Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs added 14 apiece.
Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels each scored 15 points for Minnesota, which improved to 2-0. Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points and nine rebounds. Reuters
Perimeter shooting remains a concern
Orlando made just eight of its 39 attempts from 3-point range, shooting 20.5%. Minnesota connected on 37.8% of its attempts from beyond the arc. reuters.com
Two games offer a limited measure of Sweeney’s tenure, but the early results identify an immediate challenge: improving offensive execution and preventing difficult stretches from becoming decisive runs.
Central Florida News
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Central Florida News
Orlando Magic Expand ThreatLocker Partnership With Warmup Branding, Cybersecurity Campaign
Orlando Magic, ThreatLocker Add Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign and Courtside Branding
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic and Orlando-based cybersecurity company ThreatLocker have expanded their partnership to include player warmup branding, courtside signage and a cybersecurity awareness campaign, the team announced Oct. 21.
ThreatLocker’s branding will appear on the Magic’s player warmup shirts for all home and away games, as well as front-row courtside seatback covers at Kia Center.
Campaign to Share Online Safety Tips
Timed to coincide with Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the awareness campaign includes an opening-night commercial featuring ThreatLocker CEO and co-founder Danny Jenkins.
The spot will offer tips to help fans and Orlando-area residents protect themselves online, according to the announcement.
“As a Magic Champion of the Community partner since 2023, ThreatLocker has demonstrated a strong commitment to the local community,” Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman said. “We’re excited to help raise cybersecurity awareness and continue growing their brand and our collective community impact.”
Branding Extends Across Games and Broadcasts
The agreement also includes a season-long commercial campaign and a custom-branded broadcast feature. ThreatLocker will receive exposure through MagicTV 27 in Central Florida and the team’s regional over-the-air broadcast network.
Warmup shirt branding will give the company visibility during pregame activities, player-focused content and game broadcasts, according to the announcement.
“We’re delighted that this partnership will help fans stay safe online,” Jenkins said. “And with October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s a great opportunity to share a few simple steps everyone can take to better protect themselves and their families.”
