Magic Gaming Falls to Jazz Gaming in Week 3 Action

ORLANDO – Similar to what transpired against Wizards District Gaming a couple weeks ago, Magic Gaming was unable to bounce back from a heartbreaking Game 1 defeat in its series loss to Jazz Gaming on Thursday night.

The Magic got off to a strong start in the opening game of this best-of-three series, taking a 13-point first-half lead behind Robert “May” May’s scorching hot 3-point shooting. Utah, however, slowly crept back in the game and erased a five-point deficit with a little over two minutes left to pull out its 60-57 Game 1 victory.

Jazz rookie point guard Kimanni “Splashy” Ingram, the 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft, drilled a go-ahead 3-pointer from well behind the line with 7.5 seconds left. It was one of only five 3-pointers Utah made in the game.

“As the game slowed down in pace, obviously there were mental mistakes made as well as some unlucky things, as well as us getting quite a bit stagnant in the half court,” Magic Gaming Head Coach Jonah Edwards said. “The game at times feels like you’re just playing against it. That’s how it felt in game one for about three or two-and-a-half quarters.”

With momentum in hand, Utah took control in Game 2 and blew the contest open in the second half. Spencer “Ria” Wyman, last year’s No. 1 overall draft selection, posted 23 points and 19 rebounds to lead the Jazz to a 67-47 win and a sweep of the Magic.

May’s Game 1 performance was one of the bright spots for the Magic, who dropped to 1-2 on the season. Not only did he catch fire from the 3-point corners in Game 1, going 5-of-6 from those spots and finishing with a team-high 17 points, the Massachusetts native played excellent defense and put in work on the glass with five rebounds in the first game and six in the second.

“I thought May – I told him just now – I thought he pitched a perfect game,” Edwards said. “I thought he played perfectly. I can’t think of much Robbie did wrong. I thought he had an incredible Game 1. He’s put in so much extra work to make this position change and it’s paying off. I really do think he’s an elite power forward in the league.”

Brendan “Reizey” Hill, last season’s Rookie of the Year, had an off night, going 14-of-32 from the field and 1-of-8 from beyond the arc in the two games combined. He did do a good job finding his teammates, though, as the savvy point guard dished out 19 total assists throughout the series.

Fellow second-year player Daniel “DT” Tlais filled up the stat sheet in Game 1 with 14 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists and then tallied 19 points and nine rebounds in Game 2.

The Magic will look to get back on track in their next series against Cavs Legion GC, scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. ET. Tune in to the NBA 2K League’s Twitch or YouTube channels for all the action.