Magic Gaming Storms Past Heat Check Gaming to Reach 2KL Playoff Semifinals

The Lead: For the first time in franchise history, Magic Gaming was the higher seed in a postseason matchup. After reaching the championship finale in both NBA 2K League regular season tournaments and winning a title in one of them, Orlando earned the second seed in the 3v3 playoffs and a first-round bye. Magic Gaming made sure to capitalize on that opportunity as they rolled past Heat Check Gaming on Thursday to advance to the 2KL’s upper bracket semifinals.

“It’s a massive opportunity to be the (second highest seed) and we’re certainly not taking it for granted,” said Magic Gaming general manager and head coach Jonah Edwards. “We understand the value of having the first ball in three of the five games in a series. We’re the big, bad wolf out here right now, and we’re really hot. We haven’t lost a single series since (Joshua “unguardable” Hunter) changed his build … We’re as good of a contender as anyone.”

Game 1: In playoff basketball, it’s essential to come out strong and set the tone of a series. For Magic Gaming, that’s been a strength of their squad all season long. That trend continued in their playoff opener as they rolled to a 22-12 victory over Heat Check Gaming.

“We felt like it was a huge, huge thing to start out strong,” said Edwards. “We jumped out at them right away.”

Small forward Julian “Jboolin” Manzanares went a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor on his way to 10 points, while unguardable scored nine.

Game 2: While the series opener was a rout, the second contest of this matchup was a back-and-forth battle. Unfortunately for Orlando, Miami came out on top 21-18.

Heat Check Gaming center Deondrick “DTrick” Morris tallied 12 points and five rebounds.

Jboolin led Orlando with 11 points.

Game 3: Magic Gaming has been a resilient squad all season. That was evident in this one as Orlando rallied back from an early deficit to emerge with a 23-13 victory.

Magic Gaming closed the contest on a 16-2 run.

Unguardable notched nine points, four assists, and two steals. Power forward Ashton “LowkeyGodlike” Agredano and Jboolin each scored seven.

Game 4: One of the best aspects of Magic Gaming is that they have three players who are all capable of knocking down a game-winning shot. With Miami’s defense scrambling to cover Orlando’s weapons, unguardable found an open LowkeyGodlike who drained the series-clinching 3-pointer in a 21-18 triumph.

“Of all the guys to leave, he’s the last one I’m leaving,” said Edwards. “That was the perfect ending.”

Unguardable poured in a team-high 10 points, while LowkeyGodlike finished with seven.

UP NEXT: Magic Gaming will face the Gen G. Tigers of Shanghai on Friday at 6:45 p.m. ET in the upper bracket semifinals.

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