Magic is being praised for his commitment to the Bucks while calm awaits them

When Jalen Suggs left the court at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night after the Magic lost to the Bucks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, the Magic guard was disappointed with himself.

Although Suggs scored a career-high 32 points, including 18 points in the fourth quarter, he only wanted one thing as Orlando battled Milwaukee in front of a national television audience on TNT.

“Good night, bad night, whatever it was, I like to win,” he said.

Suggs, who added 9 rebounds, 4 steals and a block in 38 minutes, missed two key 3-pointers in the final 12 seconds against the Bucks – one that would have given the Magic the lead, the other that would have tied the game.

But neither of them failed because of the fourth-year pro, who shot three of eleven shots from distance against the Bucks.

“I don’t like letting my brothers down,” he said. “It’s just hard. I felt like I had let her down. The people fought. I saw people fighting fatigue, playing hard, playing defense – and really doing whatever we needed to win.

“This one will probably sting,” he added.

Although Suggs didn’t get the result he wanted, the Magic (17-10) got the kind of performance from him they need moving forward.

Meanwhile, Orlando, without Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero (who both tore his right abdominal muscle), is counting on Suggs to take the lead and so far he has risen to the challenge.

Despite representing just a small sample of two games without the star duo, Suggs has averaged 29.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.5 steals.

He stayed aggressive on defense and didn’t bat an eyelash, even when the shots weren’t coming right away.

Over the last two first quarters, Suggs averaged 4 points on 42.9% shooting and 1.5 turnovers per 6 minutes. Compare that to the fourth quarter, and it’s clear he improved as the games went on.

Suggs scored a league-high 16.0 points in the fourth quarter on 58.8% shooting and 0.5 turnovers in 10.5 minutes.

This is also a small sample, but still noteworthy. And that’s exactly what Magic coach Jamahl Mosley wants from Suggs.

“That’s what we need from him,” Mosley said of Suggs’ recent play. “We’re going to continue to ask a lot of him and the rest of the group to just keep defending and playing hard to give ourselves a chance and an opportunity to win some of these games.”

“He’s doing a great job of continuing to fight, continuing to lead and continuing to put the team in position to come away with a win,” the Magic coach added.

This fight and Suggs’ efforts – and Orlando as a whole – are garnering attention on the national stage.

After the 5-point loss in Milwaukee (13-11), TNT’s Inside the NBA team, including Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, praised the Magic.

“When the Orlando Magic are healthy, they are the new OKC,” Barkley said. “In my opinion, I still believe in the Knicks and the Cavs are playing great, but the (Magic), if they could ever get healthy, would be scary to play. Because what’s going to happen – they suffered a bad defeat with Wagner leaving, because when you saw them play in the playoffs last year, they just gave everything for Paolo and he made a few mental mistakes along the way – these are them other boys are now gaining self-confidence. Suggs gains confidence. This team will be very dangerous.”

O’Neal, whose jersey number was retired by the Magic last February, added: “I like the fact that in Orlando, with players in, with players out, you really have to take them to beat them.” All of us expect Milwaukee to shut them down, but Coach Mose said it – the effort with which they play, the way they play, the way they play together – you really have to take this team. To answer your question: Yes, they are the OKC (of the East). If the boys continue to develop this level of confidence, they will definitely be a good team.”

Beede’s breakdown: How Magic fell to the Bucks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals

While the Magic didn’t get as far as they wanted in the NBA Cup, the group is being rewarded in other ways.

Orlando gets some much-needed rest.

Entering Wednesday’s lineup, the Magic had played the most games in the league, regardless of location (27) and away (17).

Whether Orlando travels to Atlanta on Sunday or hosts New York at the Kia Center – depending on the results of Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal between the Hawks and Knicks – Mosley’s squad will have four days between games.

And after Sunday’s game, the Magic will get another three days off, regardless of opponent, until they host the Thunder at the Kia Center on Dec. 19 on TNT.

It is a crucial time for recovery and provides the group the opportunity to train at home for several days, which is crucial for Orlando as it continues to be without Banchero and Wagner.

“No matter who’s on the field, we’re going to play hard,” Mosley said. “We will try to do the right things that will put us in a position to be successful in a game. This is what they learn and understand in this process and why these small possessions are important. They are important.”

Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]

Originally published: December 11, 2024 at 6:00 pm EST