Magic Gaming’s Self-Inflicted Mistakes Prove Costly in SWITCH OPEN Series Loss to Bucks Gaming

ORLANDO – It’s rare that a team could lead for the majority of an NBA 2K League 3v3 series and end up getting swept. But that’s what happened to Magic Gaming on Thursday night.

Despite having big leads in the first two contests of their SWITCH OPEN bracket play series with Milwaukee, a few self-inflicted mistakes proved to be too costly to overcome for Orlando.

“It’s super frustrating,” said Magic Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Jonah Edwards. “There’s a lesson in it. I think we’ve actually been pretty good with leads despite our record this year. There were a number of factors that went into it. I think we turned the ball over way too much. We forced some stuff for sure. We just went too fast. We were playing way too quick. They sped us up and we just fell right into it. Some things to address for sure.”

Now, Magic Gaming will need a pair of victories on Friday night to advance to in-person bracket play in Washington D.C.

Game 1: After opening the contest on a 10-2 run, Magic Gaming struggled with ball security, decision making, and defense down the stretch as they dropped the opener 22-18 to Bucks Gaming.

Bucks point guard Michael “Cooks” Campbell fired off a contest-best 20 points.

Magic Gaming floor general Joshua “unguardable” Hunter led Orlando with 11 points, while small forward Matthew “Matty” Grant tallied seven points and two rebounds.

Game 2: Unfortunately for Orlando, the second contest of the series followed the same script as the first. Despite an early six-point advantage, Magic Gaming came up short in a 21-18 defeat.

“When the game is going to twenty-one, any type of mistake or missed shot is really amplified,” said Magic Gaming power forward Robert “May” May. “You have to take (3v3) mode for what it is and try to be as close to perfect as possible. Unfortunately, tonight, we weren’t that and the Bucks really capitalized on our mistakes.”

Cooks notched 11 points and four assists for Milwaukee, while small forward Dawson “dawsix” Thomas scored 10.

Matty poured in a game-high 12 points for Orlando.

Game 3: Despite a valiant effort after a pair of frustrating losses, Magic Gaming fell in the series finale 22-19.

Cooks capped off an eight-point outing by draining a 30-foot game-winning triple. Dawsix recorded eight points and three steals, while power forward Mason “JohhnyRed” Bracken accumulated six points, two rebounds, and three assists.

Unguardable put up a contest-best 13 points in the defeat.

Up Next: Magic Gaming continues SWITCH OPEN remote bracket play action on Friday when they take on the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Orlando will need to win that series and a subsequent one, which will also take place that night, in order to advance to in-person bracket play in the second 3v3 tournament of the NBA 2K League season.

“We’re excited for tomorrow. We’re right there,” said May. “We just need to win two series. I think the message will be taking it one game at a time. I feel like if we come prepared, focus on ourselves, capitalize on the other team’s mistakes, and be as close to perfect as possible ourselves, I think we’ll end up making it to D.C.”