The Orlando Magic pulled off another miracle comeback Sunday night, stunning fans with a 22-4 run to close out the game – even after losing yet another key player to injury.
Cole Anthony played hero, slicing through the defense for a game-winning layup that capped a massive 17-point fourth-quarter rally.
The Magic have now done the seemingly impossible twice in just over a week. And they’re doing it with a seriously depleted roster.
Starting guard Jalen Suggs went down with a wrist injury in the second quarter, becoming the third leading scorer the team has lost this season. But that didn’t stop Orlando from mounting their charge.
“We just don’t quit,” Anthony said after his clutch game-winner. “No matter who’s out there, we believe we can win.”
The numbers tell a crazy story. Down by 21 points midway through the third quarter, the Magic got huge performances from some unexpected heroes. Rookie Tristan da Silva poured in 21 points, while Goga Bitadze added a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
But it was the emergence of deep bench player Caleb Houstan that really turned heads. The 21-year-old, who averages just 1.2 points per game, knocked down three crucial three-pointers – including the game-tying shot with 50 seconds left.
This isn’t even the Magic’s first massive comeback this month. On December 21st, they erased a 22-point deficit against the Miami Heat in similar fashion, with Anthony leading a ridiculous 37-8 fourth quarter run.
What makes these comebacks even more impressive? The Magic are doing it without their stars. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are both sidelined with oblique injuries, while Moe Wagner is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Da Silva, who went scoreless in their previous game against the Knicks, caught fire when it mattered most. He hit 5 of 6 shots in the final quarter for 13 points. The final play was actually designed for him, but when the Nets swarmed the rookie, Anthony saw his chance to attack and win it.
Despite all their injury troubles, the Magic are holding strong at fourth place in the Eastern Conference. And with Banchero’s return on the horizon, this resilient young team might be just warming up.
