Jalen Suggs picked the perfect night to deliver the best all-around performance of his young career. In just 29 minutes of action, the third-year guard notched his first career triple-double-15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists-while also stacking up four blocks and three steals to lead the Orlando Magic to a commanding 118-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
It was only Suggs’ seventh game back after missing eight with a right knee injury, but you wouldn’t have known it by the way he controlled the game on both ends of the floor. He was everywhere-diving for loose balls, contesting shots at the rim, pushing the pace, and orchestrating the offense with poise. For a player known more for his defensive tenacity and hustle plays, this was a complete performance that hinted at the kind of two-way impact he can bring when fully healthy.
Desmond Bane led the Magic in scoring with 23 points, while Paolo Banchero added 22 in another steady showing from the All-Star forward. Orlando’s offense hummed with energy and balance all night, and the numbers backed it up-six players scored in double figures, including Anthony Black with 18 points and five assists, and Mo Wagner, who gave them a big boost off the bench with 14 points and five boards in just 12 minutes.
The Magic came out aggressive and never let up. They built a 21-point cushion in the first half and stretched the lead to as much as 26 in the third quarter. It was the kind of wire-to-wire dominance you want to see from a team starting a four-game homestand against sub-.500 opponents.
For the Nets, it was another tough night in what’s become a brutal stretch. They’ve now dropped 15 of their last 17, and the issues that have plagued them all season-inefficient shooting and sloppy ball-handling-were on full display again. Brooklyn shot just 41.5% from the field and turned the ball over 19 times.
Still, there were some bright spots for the Nets’ young core. Rookie Egor Demin poured in a career-high 26 points, knocking down six of his 10 attempts from deep. Fellow rookie Nolan Traore matched his own career high with 21 points and added seven assists, showing flashes of the playmaking upside the Nets are hoping to develop.
But it was a rough outing for Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn’s leading scorer, who couldn’t find his rhythm all night. He finished with just nine points on 2-of-13 shooting, and without his usual offensive output, the Nets struggled to keep pace.
Up next, Brooklyn heads home to face Washington on Saturday, hoping to snap out of their slump. Meanwhile, the Magic stay in Orlando to take on the Utah Jazz, looking to keep the momentum rolling as they continue to climb the Eastern Conference standings.