Magic Gaming Eliminated From TURN with Quarterfinals Series Loss to Heat Check Gaming

ORLANDO – Magic Gaming has made sizeable progress since 5v5 began in early May. Doubling their win total in the TURN from the TIPOFF is proof of that. But clearly, after being eliminated by Heat Check Gaming in the quarterfinals of TURN bracket play, there’s still work to be done as they now turn their attention to the TICKET.

Game 1: Heat Check Gaming 90, Magic Gaming 70

Magic Gaming has gotten off to excellent starts almost every game this season in 5v5. But not always have they been able to maintain that early momentum.

Game 1 of their TURN quarterfinals series was the latest example of that. Orlando led by nine late in the first quarter before Miami and its high-octane offense took over in its 90-70 victory.

“We did a really poor job I think managing the clock,” Magic Gaming general manager and head coach Jonah Edwards said. “It created some tough situations for us defensively. A lot of scramble plays. We had complete control. We were doing a good job trying to deny what they were doing. Their popping center, (Kennedy) “sawc” (Tauala), was really creating issues at the top of the key.”

KyJuan “HoodieKy” Johnson racked up 35 points and 10 assists and sawc, an MVP finalist, posted 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Heat, who haven’t lost since TIPOFF bracket play. Miami hit 14 3-pointers and forced Orlando into 10 turnovers.

Joshua “unguardable” Hunter led the Magic with 22 points and nine assists, while Justin “Snubby” Stemerman scored 18 points and Ashton “LowkeyGodlike” Agredano had 12 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.

The Heat outscored the Magic in each of the last three quarters – by six in the second, 10 in the third and seven in the fourth. It was the first time this season a Magic opponent has reached 90 points.

Game 2: Heat Check Gaming 67, Magic Gaming 64

Not many NBA 2K League teams this year, if any, have played in more games that have come down to the final seconds than Magic Gaming. A few they’ve won – like the one on the final day of TURN group play against 76ers GC that clinched their spot in bracket play – and others they’ve lost. Perhaps the most heartbreaking of those losses came Wednesday in Game 2 of their quarterfinal series against Heat Check Gaming.

Leading by three with less than two minutes remaining, Orlando was unable to execute down the stretch and make timely shots in a 67-64 loss that eliminated them from the TURN.

After an unguardable 3-pointer with 2:11 left in the fourth gave the Magic that three-point edge, the Heat reclaimed control with a few stifling defensive possessions and clutch free throws.

Orlando had a couple chances to tie the game in the final seconds, but 3-point attempts by Emmanuel “FantaSZN” Gosman and Julian “Jboolin” Manzanares didn’t go down.

“We got enough stops to win,” Edwards said. “At the end of the day, we had a lot of opportunities down the stretch to close the game offensively to pull away. Just weren’t able to do so. We are going to make a couple changes to how we are playing. I think we are in a position now where we kind of have to. But it’s clear that we are close. That’s what’s frustrating.”

Unguardable led Orlando with 21 points and 10 assists, while FantaSZN scored 16 points. The Magic shot it well from beyond the arc, going 13-of-21.

All five Heat players scored in double figures, including Marta’ “THEREALTAY614” Edwards, sawc and Deondrick “DTrick” Leon, who each tallied 15 points. Miami once again forced Orlando into 10 turnovers.

UP NEXT: Magic Gaming will be back in action next week in the TICKET, the third and final in-season tournament. The TICKET is comprised of the eight teams from the Eastern Conference and seven teams from the Western Conference that did not automatically qualify for the playoffs. The winning teams from each conference bracket in the TICKET will earn the final spots in the postseason.

HOW TO WATCH: Fans can watch games live on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels.