The Orlando Magic and the Sacramento Kings provided hoops fans with a fitting sequel to their overtime classic last January, delivering another thriller, 109-107, in favor of the Kings on Saturday at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
Orlando could not produce any late-game magic as All-Star forward Paolo Banchero went for a go-ahead trey but missed the 32-foot pull-up shot at the buzzer.
Banchero, shooting efficiently at 51 FG% this March, finished with 21 points on 8-for-18 from the field and 1-for-6 beyond the 3PT line. Jonathan Isaac led all Magic scorers with 25 points off the bench while Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony added 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Jonathan Isaac vs. SAC:
25 PTS
7 REB
10-13 FG
3 3PM
+27 +/- pic.twitter.com/X3xKJYOgzz— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 24, 2024
The Kings banked on the star tandem of Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox all night as the two finished with impressive numbers. Sabonis recorded a near triple-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. Fox dropped 31 points with 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.
Orlando led by as many as 6 points in the second period and even took a one-point advantage, 106-105, on a 2-point field goal by Anthony with 25.1 seconds left. However, Jalen Suggs committed a costly foul on Fox, who calmly drained the two free throws to reclaim the lead with 21 ticks remaining.
The loss snapped the Magic’s five-game winning run and kept them winless against the Kings this season following a 135-138 defeat to the same team on January 4.
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— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 24, 2024
Still, Orlando is safely entrenched atop the Southeast Division standings with a 42-29 slate, 3.5 games ahead of second-placer Miami Heat. Up next on their home stand are the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
THE CONVERSATION.