Magic Gaming Falls to Knicks Gaming in Duck’s First Matchup Against Former Squad

The Lead: 

After an impressive opening week of action in THE TURN, Magic Gaming was hoping to carry that momentum into week two of the NBA 2K League’s second 5v5 tournament of the season. However, a slow start against Knicks Gaming set the tone in a tough 83-53 defeat on Tuesday night. The loss spoiled Christopher “Duck” Charles’ first meeting with his former club since being acquired by Orlando from New York in a blockbuster four-team trade earlier this month.

Key Stats: 

Knicks Gaming shooting guard Malik “OriginalMalik” Hobson helped his squad gain control early on by erupting for 21 of his 25 points in the first half.

Anthony “Ant SZN” Costanzo, who arrived in New York from Sacramento as part of that aforementioned trade, tallied 23 points and 12 assists. Knicks Gaming small forward Jakari “Whats Stick” Hunt scored 25, while center Ludlow “Glo” Samuels posted 10 points and 18 rebounds.

Top Magic Gaming Performers: 

Blaine “BigReign” Wilson went a perfect 7-for-7 from the field on his way to 14 points and eight rebounds. Duck posted 12 points and seven assists, Justin “Snubby” Stemerman scored 12, and Robert “May” May notched 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Quote to Note: 

“It’s very disappointing. It’s pretty disheartening to see us not take any days off after the (close) loss to the Wizards last week and really try to focus in on everything and we came out really, really flat today. It’s not the team that we hope to be. It’s not the team that we are every day at practice. Just not indicative of the effort level that’s put into it.” – Magic Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Jonah Edwards on the team’s performance against New York

Up Next: 

Magic Gaming will have another difficult task on their hands this Thursday night when they face Hawks Talon GC at 8:30 p.m. ET. Atlanta is led by electric point guard Caesar “Ceez” Martinez, who’s averaging 27.3 points and 8.7 assists per contest through three games in THE TURN. Orlando will also need to limit Hawks Talon GC center Juan “HotShotx305” Gonzalez, who’s one of the 2KL’s premier rebounders.

“That group is really talented on offense overall,” said Edwards. “We’ll basically be fighting for that final spot (in bracket play) based on the way it’s looking at the moment. They’re certainly going to be hungry for that game.”

More on THE TURN: 

The TURN tips off with two weeks of remote group play to determine the four teams from each six‑squad group that will advance to the round‑of‑16 in-person bracket play at the NBA 2K League Studio in Indianapolis from Wednesday, June 8 – Saturday, June 11.

Each team will play five games in group play, competing against each squad in its group once. The four teams in each group with the best records will advance to the round of 16.

Matchups in group play and in the round‑of-16 will use single‑game formats. However, contests in the quarterfinals through the finals will be played in a best-of-three format.

The teams are competing for a total prize pool of $250,000. The prize pool will be awarded as follows: first place – $100,000, second place – $50,000, third and fourth place – $25,000 each, and fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth place – $12,500 each.

The tournament groups are as follows:

Group A (Western Conference): Blazer5 Gaming, DUX Infinitos, Jazz Gaming, Mavs Gaming, Pacers Gaming, T-Wolves Gaming

Group B (Western Conference): Bucks Gaming, Cavs Legion GC, Kings Guard Gaming, Lakers Gaming, Pistons GT, Warriors Gaming Squad

Group C (Eastern Conference): Hawks Talon GC, Heat Check Gaming, Knicks Gaming, Magic Gaming, Nets GC, Wizards District Gaming

Group D (Eastern Conference): 76ers GC, Celtics Crossover Gaming, Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai, Grizz Gaming, Hornets Venom GT, Raptors Uprising GC

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.