Anthony Black didn’t just help Orlando beat Sacramento. He helped steady a team that badly needed a jolt.
The Magic ended their four-game skid with a road win, and Black said the difference started on the defensive end. He pointed to the group’s energy, communication and effort, saying Orlando played hard and stayed connected throughout the night.
Even so, he didn’t sugarcoat the rough spots. Black said the Magic gave Zach LaVine too many chances from deep, with the Kings guard taking nine 3-pointers, and he called Sacramento’s 22 free-throw attempts another area Orlando has to clean up.
Still, he liked the way the Magic contested shots and battled possession by possession.
Black also took a clear-eyed look at his own game. He called his performance solid, but said he needs to sharpen his decision-making and protect the ball better, especially in pick-and-roll situations.
For him, the next step is simple: keep the dribble alive, stay aggressive and avoid slipping into passive stretches that lead to turnovers. Even with those corrections in mind, he felt good about what he brought as a rebounder, defender and facilitator.
That aggressive mindset, Black said, has grown since he returned after missing training camp. He credited the coaching staff for drilling home the value of attacking the paint, playing off two feet and showing patience with the ball. Those details, he said, have helped him operate more comfortably as both a scorer and a playmaker.
Orlando’s work on the glass has also become a major part of the formula. Black said the team’s rebounding and ability to create extra possessions have fueled its recent play.
Limiting turnovers, grabbing offensive boards and keeping opponents from getting second chances have all become priorities. He also noted the mental toll of offensive rebounding, saying forcing a defense to keep working wears it down.
For Black, that physical edge needs to become part of Orlando’s identity.
Franz Wagner’s rise has been another big piece of the picture, and Black had plenty of praise for him. With Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs sidelined, Wagner has taken on more of the offensive load, and Black said he’s done it by attacking downhill, drawing attention and finding open teammates. He said Wagner is at his best when he plays aggressively and gets into the paint, and he credited him for helping the Magic win on both ends.
Black also singled out Alex Morales, who logged a career-high 29 minutes against Sacramento. He said Morales is growing more confident, recognizing good matchups and taking open shots when they’re there. Black pointed to Morales’ offensive rebounding, defensive effort and willingness to make winning plays, saying each game seems to bring another step forward.
The road victory mattered to Black, too, because it came in a tough setting. He said winning away from home is never easy, no matter who’s on the other side, and he described Sacramento as a talented team. With another game waiting the next night, Black said Orlando has a chance to keep the momentum rolling and finish the trip strong before heading home.
He also had high praise for Darius Acuff, his fellow Arkansas Razorback, calling attention to the rookie’s poise, shot-making and decision-making. Black said young guards usually need time to adjust, but Acuff already looks like he understands how to create offense at the NBA level. Having watched him at Arkansas, Black said he’s confident Acuff will keep improving as he gets more comfortable with the league.
In Other News...
Shorthanded Magic Just Proved Something Important On This Road Trip
On the second night of a back-to-back, with a short bench and a long injury list, Orlando still found a way to look like a team with some fight in it. The Magic went into Utah and handled the Jazz 123-108, getting a huge night from Franz Wagner, who led the way with 38 points, while Desmond Bane added 25 and Anthony Black chipped in 22.
The bigger takeaway for Orlando was not just the result, but the manner in which it came. Playing with only 10 available players, the Magic improved to 4-7 and showed they can still generate enough offense and composure to win on the road even when the rotation is stretched thin. For a group trying to steady itself early in the season, that kind of response matters. [Read more 🡒]
Magic Finally Got The Jolt Fans Have Been Waiting For
After four straight losses, Orlando finally found some traction in Sacramento, where the Magic snapped the skid with a 107-100 win at Golden 1 Center. Franz Wagner set the tone with a season-high 33 points, and Anthony Black gave the offense a needed lift with 26 as Orlando showed a little more balance than it had during the slide.
The lineup shuffle was part of the backdrop, too, with Sean Sweeney going to his sixth different starting five of the season and putting Anthony Black in the opening group while Jase Richardson returned to the bench. Sacramento made it uncomfortable late behind Darius Acuff Jr.'s 29 points and Zach LaVine's 31, but the Kings still dropped their fourth in a row and sixth straight at home, leaving Orlando with a much-needed result and a few things to build on. [Read more 🡒]
Wendell Carter Jr. Is Back At The Center Of A Magic Debate
Wendell Carter Jr. has found himself back in the middle of a familiar kind of Magic conversation, the sort that tends to surface when a team has a useful big man and other clubs start looking for help inside. Orlando has reason to value Carter as a steady frontcourt piece, especially with his production giving the roster a dependable presence around the rim and on the glass.
The latest buzz comes from the Warriors side of the league, where interior depth has become a talking point as Kristaps Porzingis has stepped away for health reasons. One analyst floated a framework that would send Porzingis and draft capital to Orlando for Carter, a move that would give Golden State a different kind of frontcourt fit while putting the Magic in position to weigh whether Carters current role is the right long-term one. [Read more 🡒]