The Osceola Magic defeated the Westchester Knicks at the Westchester County Center 138-130 on Saturday in the first game of the regular season.
Games play up to this point served as qualifying for the NBA G League's Winter Showcase, and records reset for the season that will run through May.
This came two days after the Dallas Mavericks signed Magic guard Brandon Williams to a Two-Way Contract, putting him closer to returning to the NBA. In his absence, and without Trevelin Queen who is on assignment with the Orlando Magic, Mac McClung scored a team-high 36 points and eight assists for Osceola, while Jett Howard netted 30 points by making four three-pointers and shooting 8-for-10 from inside the arc.
The Magic (1-0) shot 20-for-45 (44.4%) three-pointers; half of their shots came from outside the arc.
The game was tied at 102 entering the fourth quarter. Osceola opened the final quarter on a 12-2 run, and never trailed agin.
“Our players know their roles, that’s how we’re winning games,” McClung said. “Everyone has a player in the G League that can score. Our team plays their roles, and that’s why we have a great team.”
“We never panic in late-game situations," Howard said. “We’re a well-oiled machine when it comes to late-game execution.”
Bradon Goodwin, a UCF alum, led all scorers with 41 points.
The Magic are in the midst of a seven-game road trip, and will next take the floor Friday and Sunday (Jan. 5 and 7) at the Van Andel Arena against the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Gold, a Denver Nuggets affiliate. The Magic return to the Silver Spurs Arena on Jan. 18 to rematch with Westchester, the start of six home games in 14 days.
On Thursday, the Magic announced that the Dallas Mavericks signed Williams to a Two-Way contract. In 14 games for Osceola, Williams averaged 22.4 points 4.1 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.9 minutes per game.
In 24 NBA games (16 starts) for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers in 2021-22, he averaged 12.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.7 minutes. Williams played one season in the NCAA for the Arizona Wildcats in 2018-19.
