The Orlando Magic got back in the win column following their 127-126 win against the visiting Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Magic guard Anthony Black did his part to ensure the team got a win as he set a new career-high of 38 points, as per the team.
Anthony Black reached his new career-high of 38 points following a clutch steal on Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and a bucket late in the fourth quarter that essentially sealed the win for the Magic. In addition to his new career-high in points, Black also finished with six rebounds, five assists and two steals in a little over 30 minutes. He shot 14-of-24 (58.3 percent) from the field, 7-of-11 (63.6 percent) from the 3-point line and 3-of-6 from the free-throw line.
With the win, the Magic improved to 18-14. They are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, and two games back of the No. 3 Boston Celtics. Black has continued his improvement from each season as he alternates between starting and coming off the bench. Since Dec. 9, Black has moved permanently into the starting lineup.
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Black has upped his numbers each season he’s been in the league. This year, he’s appeared in a total of 31 games, including 11 starts, at a little over 29 minutes per game. He’s been averaging a career-high 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals with splits of 44.8 percent shooting from the field, 33.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 69.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
During the Magic’s playoff series against the Celtics last season, Black averaged 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 40.5 percent from the field. If the Magic want to advance farther in the playoffs this season, Black will need to be a big part of that.