The Orlando Magic took on the Detroit Pistons as their first matchup of the 2023 NBA 2K24 Summer League this past weekend, looking to test out their newly acquired rookies. Playing in the Summer League allows these young players to become more acclimated to the NBA. Taking that first step onto the court after being drafted is extremely important, especially when considering players from the past who did not pan out as well as everyone around them may have hoped. For some players, this transition is difficult, but for others, like the Magic’s Anthony Black, this change of pace is just another opportunity for them to continue doing what they do best.
In his debut as an Orlando Magic player, Black played incredibly well, showing up for his team across the board. The 6’7 guard put up 17 points on 70% shooting from the field and 50% shooting from behind the arc. To top it off, Black had 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, overall ending his night with an extremely impressive performance. Yet Black was not alone, as guard Kevon Harris joined him in leading their team to victory. Harris put up 21 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals, all while shooting 61.5% from the field. Caleb Houstan, Jett Howard, and Robert Baker II provided 8 points each to help support Black and Harris. While their points were a great help, their shooting percentages were not pretty. Houstan shot 4-12 (33.3%) from the field while Howard shot 3-13 (23.1%), which will easily be improved as they play more throughout the Summer League and training camp.
Despite the impressive performances by Black and Harris, the Magic found themselves on the losing end of this matchup, falling 89-78 against the Pistons. While a loss is disappointing to any competitor, the Magic are able to walk away from this game with confidence in their young players and the skill that they bring to the team when out on the hardwood. As the Summer League continues the Magic will get more opportunities to evaluate their young players as they get more and more experience. The future for this squad looks bright, especially with the new talent they’ve brought to the roster.
For more news about the Orlando Magic visit: www.nba.com/magic
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