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Jalen Suggs delivered a milestone performance Thursday night, recording his first career triple-double to power the Orlando Magic to a commanding 118-98 victory over the struggling Brooklyn Nets at the Kia Center in Orlando.
Suggs, who recently returned from an eight-game absence due to a right knee injury, showcased his all-around brilliance with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in just 29 minutes of play. The third-year guard also contributed significantly on the defensive end, registering four blocks and three steals in a performance that highlighted his growing importance to Orlando’s playoff aspirations.
“I was just trying to make the right plays and be aggressive when needed,” Suggs said after the game. “My teammates put me in great positions, and I’m just happy we got the win.”
The Magic’s offensive attack featured multiple weapons, with Desmond Bane scoring a team-high 23 points and Paolo Banchero adding 22 points. Second-year guard Anthony Black continued his recent strong play with 18 points and five assists, while Mo Wagner provided a spark off the bench with 14 points and five rebounds in just 12 efficient minutes.
For the Nets, the game represented a continuation of their season-long offensive struggles. Brooklyn entered the contest as the NBA’s lowest-scoring team (107.1 points per game) with the league’s worst field goal percentage (44.3%). Those challenges were on full display Thursday as they shot just 41.5% from the field and committed 19 turnovers.
One bright spot for Brooklyn was the play of rookie Egor Demin, who erupted for a career-high 26 points while connecting on 6 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc. Fellow first-year player Nolan Traore matched his career best with 21 points and added seven assists, providing a glimpse of potential future building blocks for the franchise.
However, Brooklyn’s leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. struggled mightily, shooting just 2-for-13 from the field and finishing with nine points, well below his season average.
The Nets have now lost 15 of their last 17 games, continuing a downward spiral that began after they traded away key veterans at last season’s trade deadline, signaling the beginning of a full-scale rebuild.
Orlando established control early, building a 21-point advantage in the first half. Their lead swelled to as many as 26 points in the third quarter, allowing head coach Jamahl Mosley to rest key players in the final period as the team begins a favorable stretch in their schedule.
“We talked about starting this homestand with the right energy and focus,” Mosley said. “I thought our defensive intensity set the tone, and when we defend like that, it fuels our offense.”
The victory improves Orlando to 16-11 on the season, keeping them firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Magic are now 10-4 at home, where they’ll continue their current four-game homestand against teams with losing records—a prime opportunity to build momentum heading into the new year.
For Brooklyn, the loss drops them to 7-20, placing them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings alongside Detroit and Washington. While their young talent has shown flashes, particularly their rookie class, the team appears firmly committed to a development year focused on draft positioning and player growth.
The Nets return to Barclays Center on Saturday to host the Washington Wizards, while Orlando continues its homestand by welcoming the Utah Jazz that same evening.
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10 Comments
The Magic’s win over the Nets is an impressive result, especially with Suggs’ triple-double leading the way. Their young talent is really starting to shine. It will be intriguing to see how the rest of their season unfolds.
Agreed, the Magic are a team on the rise. Suggs’ development is a big part of that, and this triple-double is a great sign of things to come.
Impressive showing by Suggs. Notching a triple-double at this stage of his career is no easy feat. The Magic seem to be finding their rhythm, which could make them a dangerous team to face down the stretch.
The Magic’s young core is really starting to come together. Suggs’ versatility is a big part of that. It will be exciting to see how far they can go this season.
Jalen Suggs’ first career triple-double is an impressive achievement, and it’s great to see the Magic get the win over the Nets. The team’s young talent is really starting to shine, which bodes well for their future.
Absolutely, the Magic’s young core is really coming together. Suggs’ versatility is a big part of that, and this game shows his potential to be a star player in the league.
Jalen Suggs’ first career triple-double is a significant milestone. The Magic are clearly benefiting from his all-around contributions. It will be interesting to see if he can build on this performance and lead the team to more wins.
Great to see Jalen Suggs showcase his skills with a triple-double. The Magic are building an exciting young core and this performance highlights Suggs’ all-around talent. It will be interesting to see how he and the team continue to develop over the season.
Agreed, Suggs has a lot of potential. The Magic are clearly making strides and this win over the Nets demonstrates their improving competitiveness.
Suggs’ triple-double is a standout performance, and the Magic’s win over the Nets is a solid result. It will be interesting to see if the team can build on this momentum and continue to improve as the season progresses.