PHOENIX – In each of their losses this season, turnovers have been a central storyline for the Orlando Magic.
That includes Thursday’s contest in Phoenix, where the Magic committed 25 turnovers that led to 36 Suns points in a 117-104 loss.
“They came in a lot of different ways,” Magic head coach Sean Sweeney said of the turnovers. “I think we had four illegal screens. Some decisions we were a little bit careless with the basketball. Some plays I thought we tried to make the right play, just didn’t connect the dots. A number of them and number of different areas.”
What also didn’t help was Phoenix getting a superb performance from five-time NBA All-Star Devin Booker, who erupted for 30 points on 11-for-22 floor shooting and 4-of-8 3-point shooting to go along with eight assists. Dillon Brooks chipped in with 24 points for the Suns, who shot 52 percent overall from the field and 50 percent from 3-point distance.
Wendell Carter Jr. was a bright spot for Orlando with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Franz Wagner filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, eight rebounds and a career-high 15 assists. Tristan da Silva finished with 18 points off the bench.
While the Suns had control nearly the entire way, it was their 22-5 run in the third quarter that did the Magic in.
Another big issue, aside from the turnovers and just 34 percent 3-point shooting, was the Magic free throw shooting. They made only 13 of their 24 attempts from the stripe (54 percent).
Paolo Banchero (ankle), Jalen Suggs (knee) and Noah Penda (hamstring) all remained out for the Magic, while Rasheer Fleming (ankle), Jordan Goodwin (calf) and Mark Williams (shoulder) were out for the Suns.
The Magic’s four-game West Coast trip continues Saturday when they take on the Golden State Warriors at 8:30 p.m. ET.