Magic Gaming Begins Second Week of SWITCH OPEN Group Play With Rematch Against 76ers GC

The Lead

Magic Gaming’s first week of Coinbase 3v3 SWITCH OPEN group play featured both highs and lows. Among the highs were jumping out to a 2-0 series lead against TURN champion 76ers GC and sweeping amateur team Dreamshakers. To qualify for bracket play in Indianapolis, they’ll need more highs like those during the second leg of action.

Tuesday, June 21 vs. 76ers GC at 7 p.m.

Everything was going Orlando’s way through the first two games in the first meeting between these two teams. They withstood a late rally from the Sixers in the opener, and then behind a superb performance from Christopher “Duck” Charles won Game 2. But, led by their dynamic backcourt duo of Andre “Dre” Marshall and Enrique “630” Xavier Barraza, Philadelphia rallied back to pull off the reverse sweep. The 76ers replacing Elijah “UnderRatedGoat” Spears with 630 in the middle of the series proved to be a big factor.

Wednesday, June 22 vs. Dreamshakers at 8 p.m.

The Magic made quick work of Dreamshakers, one of the tournament’s amateur teams. After coming from behind to win the opener, Orlando cruised in Games 2 and 3 to complete the sweep. Robert “May” May, who made the winning shots in each of the last two games, compiled 21 points, three rebounds and three assists in the series. Dreamshakers, like the Magic, zigged and zagged in the first leg of group play. They swept Knicks Gaming in their first matchup and then got swept by the Magic and 76ers. Their squad consists of CBFW_c, Badge Plug and TheRealDario.

Friday, June 24 vs. Knicks Gaming at 7 p.m.

For the third time since getting traded to Orlando in last month’s four-team blockbuster trade, Duck will play against his former team. The Knicks, so far, have gotten the best of the Magic, winning a 5v5 contest in THE TURN and their first 3v3 SWITCH OPEN meeting. Just as it was in the Philly series when the Sixers substituted UnderRatedGoat for 630 midway through the series, New York raised their level of play when they swapped Anthony “Ant SZN” Costanzo for Malik “OriginalMalik” Hobson after the second game.

Quotes of the Week

“Matty (Matthew Grant) is a proven veteran in the league. He’s been here for a while. He always keeps me level-headed and calm. Sometimes I might lash out a little bit, but I know that to have that vet right there (who is) seasoned, he’ll be able to keep me straight.” – Duck

“We are sitting in a position now where we at least control our own destiny, and we know exactly what to expect from the other teams in the group. I certainly think this is a tough road in the next three games, just because these are still tough teams. The Sixers are good. The Knicks are good. They had a tough matchup tonight when they faced off. We are going to be watching all that film and making sure we can soak up as much as we can as far as intel going into those series. We think we can definitely make it out this thing. The confidence in the room, even though we are one-and-two, we just have to have a good early start to next week, and we think we will be in Indy to follow.” – Magic Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Jonah Edwards

Where to Watch 

Fans can watch games live on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels. Games will also be available on Dash Radio, eGG Network in Southeast Asia, Loco in India, and Sport1 in Europe.