The Orlando Magic dropped to 1-1 on the season after falling 111-107 to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday evening, with head coach Jamahl Mosley emphasizing the problem of containing star guard Trae Younger down the stretch.
Younger managed the tempo late, showcasing his trademark craft and talent to attract fouls when Orlando tried to tighten its protection. Mosley addressed the frustration that comes with defending a participant of Younger’s ability stage, notably in clutch conditions.
“He bought downhill rapidly down the stretch due to his skill to knock down photographs, so you need to press up,” Mosley stated. “Then a few these final ones the place he will get downhill and stops on a dime and also you’re caught within the place of you’re attempting to not foul, however he takes away your house they usually give him that decision… so it’s arduous. You attempt to defend him with out fouling, with out giving up the simple layup, however he’s such a shifty participant that he can cease on a dime and get that decision as nicely, you realize, throwing his physique into the defender and getting that decision so it’s powerful to defend it that approach.”
Franz Wagner leads Magic as Hawks rally behind Trae Younger’s late heroics
Younger completed with 25 factors, six assists, three steals, and a rebound whereas capturing 7-for-18 from the sphere and 10-for-12 from the free throw line. Although he struggled from past the arc, hitting simply certainly one of six makes an attempt, his late-game execution proved an excessive amount of for Orlando to comprise.
The Magic managed a lot of the primary half however faltered down the stretch, undone by turnovers and missed free throws within the ultimate minutes. Franz Wagner as soon as once more led the crew offensively, ending with 27 factors, six rebounds, and two assists whereas capturing 10-for-17 from the sphere.
Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane, nonetheless, struggled to seek out rhythm. Banchero completed with 11 factors on 4-for-15 capturing, together with 0-for-5 from three-point vary, together with six rebounds and one help in 36 minutes. Bane added 15 factors, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals, however shot simply 5-for-14 from the sphere and 1-for-7 from deep throughout 33 minutes.
Regardless of the loss, Orlando noticed one other robust efficiency from second-year ahead Tristan da Silva, who offered vitality off the bench with 15 factors, six rebounds, and three steals on environment friendly capturing. His contributions helped hold the Magic inside hanging distance late.
The Magic will look to regroup and shut out their three-game homestand on a optimistic word once they host the Chicago Bulls (1-0) on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. ET. In the meantime, the Hawks return to Atlanta to host the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (2-0) on Sunday.