Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks experienced what many other teams have
Suggs pulls up for a knockout three from Okeechobee, at least 27 feet away from the rim; boom, there's three clutch quick points to cut the lead to one.Carter makes the huge box out on Gafford to secure the big board, dishes to Suggs.
Suggs and the Magic push, Wendell screens for Jalen, The Bomberman pulls up for three only to draw the big man out and hit the rim-rolling Carter with a jump pass dime for the emphatic dunk.Finding themselves in a ton of close games this season despite key star injuries, Orlando stays competing until the final whistle. The Magic have 6 game winners in the final 10 seconds of the 4th Quarter or overtime this season; no other team has more than four of them,has gone under the radar all season, with the highest clutch FG% of any teammate; WCJ near the rim at the end of a game is a destructive force with a monstrous will to win. Priding himself on doing the dirty work for this squad, Carter knows his team needs that all-out effort in these clutch moments that have often beenMar 5, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Khris Middleton drives to the basket past Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs in the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Suggs practically willed his team to victory in this one, culminating in the momentous 5pt sequence at the end, where it looked for a moment like Orlando might give one away. But, as Suggs said himself, the win would not be possible without the dirty work done in the trenches by the Magic's starting center.Suggs raved about his big man, “He was so explosive after we made the bucket, he was JUBILANT! ...he does a lot of things for us that don’t get talked about.”He has helped me now, since I first come into the league, he has helped me grow. For us it is bigger than basketball. Outside of the lines is where our relationship truly resides, where the value lies. So, when we come in here and play, I try to do my best to keep him in a good mind state, keep him smiling and laughing, and he does the same for me. I just think it is very important. As these years go on man, they are long; you are going to win some, lose some, you are going to play great, you are going to have rough stretches, that is just how the NBA goes. We laugh, we talk about life; we are helping each other grow. I think that is really all that matters. To see him getting buckets, playing well, to get that end-of-the-game moment; not only the bucket, the box-out really was huge, actually. We needed that so we could go score on the other end. Yeah, it is elite.Cuh only shot six shots – you can complain, you can ask for more, nah, he just comes in and works. It is a part of our identity.I asked Jalen Suggs how cool it was to be a part of the Magic’s game-winning moment with Orlando’s Unsung Hero Wendell Carter Jr.:The strong box outs, the sound screens, the rim-rolling energy; Carter shows up for this team in ways that don’t always show up in the box score. Being one of the most versatile big men in the league, Carter could average higher numbers if he were given more touches; instead he’s asked to utilize his versatility in ways that help the team win, molding his role to the lineup around him as a switchable 3&D closeout-attacking pick-and-popping rim-rolling force.Ryan is a basketball scout data analyst who has been covering the Orlando Magic, NBA, and NBA Draft with a focus on roster building strategy, data analytics, film breakdowns, and player development since 2017. He is credentialed media for the Orlando Magic along with top high schools in Central Florida where he scouts talent in marquee matchups at Montverde Academy, IMG Academy, Oak Ridge, and the NBPA Top-100 Camp. He generates basketball data visualizations, formerly with The BBall Index. He has two B.A.s from Florida State University in Business Management and Business Marketing. Twitter/YouTube/Substack: @BeyondTheRK
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mundane, magic, maybe both — a new book explores 'The Writer's Room'Why are we captivated by the spaces where where authors write? Katie da Cunha Lewin set out to explore 'The Hidden Worlds That Shape the Books We Love.'
Read more »
Days of Our Lives Stars Honor ‘Unsung’ Industry Hero After DeathMaria O'Brien, renowned for her role as an acting coach, passed away, leaving behind a legacy in daytime television.
Read more »
Paolo Banchero Rising to the Occasion After StrugglesThe Orlando Magic need their star to play his best basketball down the stretch.
Read more »
Dallas Mavs' star rookie Cooper Flagg expected to return vs. Orlando MagicThe Dallas Mavericks are on a six-game road trip that started Tuesday and were expecting rookie No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg to return at some point, but the plan is now in place for him to be back immediately against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
Read more »
Magic Spoil Cooper Flagg's Return in Stunning FinishThe Orlando Magic are winners of two straight after beating the Dallas Mavericks.
Read more »
Mavericks' Cooper Flagg Fumbles Away Chance at Win Against Orlando MagicWith a chance to win in the final seconds, an opportunity was just out of Cooper Flagg's reach.
Read more »