In a clash of G-League titans, the Osceola Magic and the Long Island Nets delivered a playoff spectacle that will be etched in basketball for seasons to come.
The stage was set for high-stakes drama as the Magic made their postseason debut after a bye week, while the Nets rode the momentum of a nail-biting victory in the previous round. The spotlight shone brightly on Mac McClung, the G League KIA MVP, as he led the charge for the Magic alongside his dynamic teammate Trevelin Queen, both of which rested the last game of the regular season.
From the opening tip, it was clear that both teams were hungry for victory, with the Nets drawing first blood with a 3 pointer from Kyle Edwards (#2), after 2 minutes of missed attempts from both teams. DJ Wilson worked in the paint and converted an And-1 dunk on the Magic’s first points of the contest. The game began marked with early fouls and sloppy play on both ends which resulted in slow starts to the game. With 9:23 to go in the first quarter Trevelin Queen swung the ball to Jett Howard who kicked things off from deep, cashing a 26 foot 3 pointer.
Mac McClung joined the early 3 party on the very next Magic possession swishing a 26 foot jumper on a dish from Kevin Harris. The Osceola Magic were alive and well early forcing the Long Island Nets to call a timeout with 8:57 left in the first quarter.
After the short intermission, Jaylen Warren (#1) of the Nets got them going after 2 minutes of scoreless activity with a smooth finger roll layup. With the score being 5-11 Magic, the Nets shorten the gap with a 3 pointer from Jacob Gilyard (#14) followed by a nice alley-oop dunk from David Muoka (#33). The nice back to back plays got the score to 10-11 Magic. With 7:44 in the first quarter the intensity was quickly picking up for the Magic. Mac McClung was waking up with an all so smooth reverse lay followed by an emphatic block from DJ Wilson, with McClung coming down and draining a 27 footer from range. The game continued to flow back and forth with teams finally starting to click. Mac McClung led all scorers with 12 at the end of the first period with the score knotted at 28 a piece.
Out of the gate, Miye Oni (#33) got the Magic on the board first with a nice 3 pointer as Keon Johnson caught a cool dish from Jacob Gilyard to get The Nets on the board with a quick lay in. This led to an exchange of blows until the 7:42 mark. With the Magic up 5 (37-42), the offense began to sputter, combined with flurry of turnovers which began to stack heavily against the Magic. They piled up a total of 9 at the half compared to just 1 for the Nets. With the halftime score at 63-57, DJ Wilson and Mac McClung carried most of the scoring load with the pair having 12 and 14. The supporting cast contributed also with Kevon Harris having 8 pts, Daeqwon Plowden with 7 pts, and Trevelin Queen with 6 pts. The Nets however, made a killing on the glass early corralling 30 rebounds compared to the Magic’s 24. The inability to minimize turnovers in combination with not being able to crash the boards was a major problem for the Magic.
At the start of the 3rd, Jett Howard and Keon Johnson opened up the first 2nd half scores for both teams. The Magic fought tooth and nail to claw their way back into contention as the third quarter progressed. It was a quiet 3rd quarter with McClung showcasing his KIA MVP scoring ability, punctuating his performance acrobatic finishes and also getting to the free throw line. However, every surge from the Magic was met with swift responses from the Nets who refused to relinquish their lead until McClung forcefully took it with a smooth and 1 layup with seconds ticking on the clock. As a result, the score at the end of the 3rd quarter stood at 88-85 in favor of the Magic.
With tensions reaching a boiling point in the final quarter, every possession became a battleground. The Magic unleashed a furious rally, fueled by a combination of defensive stops and explosive offensive plays. Defensively the Magic tallied 12 blocks with DJ Wilson taking credit for 4 of them. Credit to the Magic coaching staff for making the crucial adjustment to a zone defense which proved to serve well for them. While Trevelin Queen’s timely three-pointers kept hope alive for the Magic faithful. In the waning moments of the game, it was the Nets who showcased their composure and resilience. Capitalizing on crucial turnovers and sinking clutch free throws, they ultimately sealed the victory and ended the Magic’s season in heartbreaking fashion. As the final buzzer sounded, the Long Island Nets emerged victorious with a hard-fought 120-112 battle. There were a lot of questions surrounding this team in terms of their cohesion and commitment to spreading the ball around considering the collective star power. And while the Magic may have fallen short in their playoff debut, they showcased grit, determination, and a promising future ahead.
In a post-game interview with Trevelin Queen regarding bouncing back next season, he emphasized, “Understanding there’s a greater purpose beyond ourselves,” epitomizing the team’s journey towards selflessness.
Coach Dylan Murphy highlighted the significance of rebounding and turnovers in tonight’s loss, attributing them as major contributing factors. Additionally, he commended the team’s passion, resilience, and relentless determination to “fight like hell,” underscoring the essence of playoff basketball.
Following McClung’s remarkable MVP season, averaging 25.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds, the Osceola Magic are poised to reload, revamp, and elevate their game after their inaugural season in Osceola. Their impressive performance in the 2023-2024 season sets a promising foundation for the future of the franchise.
