Magic Gaming Falls to Unbeaten Nets GC

The Lead:

NetsGC’s dynamic backcourt duo of Wahid “Doc” Faiz and Michael “Tate” Tate has been giving opposing teams issues throughout THE TIPOFF tournament. Unfortunately for Magic Gaming the pair once again put up big numbers as Brooklyn handed Orlando a 92-62 defeat in group pool play action on Thursday. Tate posted game highs in points (27) and assists (11), while Doc scored 21.

Key Stretch:

With 1:17 left in the first quarter, Justin “Kapp” Kaplan knocked down a 3-pointer to put Magic Gaming up 18-17 over NetsGC as Orlando looked to be within striking distance to potentially hand Brooklyn its first loss of the 2022 NBA 2K League season. However, NetsGC (4-0) subsequently erupted with a 30-6 run to close out the remainder of the first half and take a 49-24 lead into halftime.

Top Magic Gaming Performers:

Orlando once again had a balanced scoring attack as four players scored in double figures led by Robert “May” May who fired off 18 points while going 6-for-8 from 3-point range. Matt “Matty” Grant scored 15, Kapp added 12, and Blaine “BigReign” Wilson notched 10 points and 10 rebounds. Justin “Snubby” Stemerman posted seven points and nine assists.

Quote of the Night:

“There were pretty much no positives tonight. They were scoring at will. Everything was there, half-court, fastbreak, transition, anything that they wanted, it was there. We got a little flustered, we got a little bit out of our rhythm, threw the ball around a little bit, (and) they capitalized tonight. Hats off to them.” – Magic Head Coach and General Manager Jonah Edwards.

Up Next:

Magic Gaming (1-3) gets its first look at a revamped Grizz Gaming (1-3) squad this season on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Memphis made two blockbuster trades in the offseason, first acquiring Jordan “JMoney” Martinez from the Gen.G Tigers and then dealing Zach “Vandi” Vandivier to Pacers Gaming in a three-team trade that also involved Magic Gaming. With the draft pick they received in the deal, the Grizz took veteran Michael “BP” Diaz-Cruz. Through Memphis’ first four games, BP has gotten off to an impressive start and been an impact player for his new team.

While several things will have to happen for Magic Gaming to advance to the round‑of‑16 in-person bracket play in THE TIPOFF at the NBA 2K League Studio in Indianapolis, they know they’ll at least need a win over Grizz Gaming to make it happen.

“Certainly, there are some implications still left as we move forward, but at the end of the day, we just really have to focus on ourselves,” Edwards explained. “The games should matter either way, implications to make it to bracket stage or not. We can’t be a team that’s 1-4 moving forward, otherwise we’re digging ourselves too deep of a hole to get out of.”

How 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.