Magic Gaming Sweeps Handlez to Advance in NBA 2K League’s 3v3 Playoffs

ORLANDO – If there was any lingering doubt about Magic Gaming’s ability to hang with the elite 3v3 teams in NBA 2K League action, it was erased on Thursday night.

No one expected Orlando to make easy work of Handlez, an amateur team which put the 2KL on notice by advancing to bracket play in the SLAM OPEN and SWITCH OPEN. However, that’s exactly what happened in the opening round of the 3v3 playoffs.

Magic Gaming surged past Handlez for a 3-0 series victory, completing the first sweep in the 2KL playoffs this season.

Game 1:  

Despite early offensive struggles, Magic Gaming was able to remain in the game due to a staunch defensive effort. Then, Orlando center Robert “May” May took over. May put up 12 points and seven rebounds to lift Magic Gaming to a 21-17 victory over Handlez.

Orlando point guard Joshua “unguardable” Hunter tallied six points and six assists.

NOTELITESHOOTER put up nine points and xmiami2k added eight for Handlez.

Game 2:  

Unlike the opener, the second contest of the series was all offense. Magic Gaming proved to be the more high-powered unit, emerging with a 22-17 triumph over Handlez. Orlando went a scorching 9-for-10 from the floor, led by unguardable, who knocked down four of his five attempts on his way to a game-high 10 points.

Magic Gaming small forward Matthew “Matty” Grant poured in eight points, including the game-sealing triple.

“When we ran our off-ball, they looked really lost on defense,” said Magic Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Jonah Edwards. “Josh was able to take the ball all the way to the left corner and penetrate from the left corner because they were overplaying his threes and they’re both running at Matty’s off-ball, and of course, Matty is able to get a couple of threes off-ball. At that point, we just knew we had them figured out.”

Game 3:  

If there was a game in this series that epitomized Magic Gaming, this was it. Unguardable hit big shots – including the game-winner – May made big plays, and Matty put forth an elite defensive effort as Orlando completed the sweep with a 22-18 victory over Handlez.

Unguardable notched nine points and four assists, Matty scored seven, and May recorded six points, four rebounds, and one steal.

“The final game, it was special, really,” said Matty. “I didn’t feel like at any point in the series that they were better than us. … I feel like this team has done everything possible as far as working hard (and) showing up early to practice. We just work hard. We love each other (and) we’re a family.”

Quote to Note: 

“Josh, to me, is the clear Rookie of the Year. The turnaround we’ve had (since acquiring him via a midseason trade) says one thing. His statistics back it up. I think he’s a better player on both ends than any rookie in this entire class. And not to mention, he shows up in the big time. Us winning these games on stage like we have in the last week and a half, I think made it clear that he should be Rookie of the Year.” – Edwards on unguardable’s case for NBA 2K League’s Rookie of the Year award

Up Next:  

Magic Gaming will have a tough task on their hands when they take on Wizards District Gaming in the second round of the 2KL 3v3 playoffs on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET. While it’s still unclear exactly which lineup the two-time champs will put forth against Orlando, it’s pretty clear that Ryan “Dayfri” Conger and Manuel “Newdini” Newman II will likely be in any rotation that Washington rolls out.

“They’re really unique,” said Edwards. “I think they play this game mode very, very different than most teams in that they’re not flashy. They’re not going to run up and down and dribble you to death and score. They’re going to play really, really efficiently. They’re going to take every point they can and they’re going to play defense. They’re going to try to make it really hard on you and force turnovers and capitalize on your mistakes.”

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.