Silver Spurs hosts playoff game Friday after 1st-round bye
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Chris Walker, an NBA G League veteran, will be the Osceola Magic’s starting center in Friday’s Eastern Conference semifinal at the Silver Spurs Arena. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS -
The NBA G League playoff bracket. GRAPHIC/NBA G LEAGUE
When the Orlando Magic's NBA G League team played in Lakeland, it won the league championship in 2021.
After a 22-12 regular season, the 2023-24 Osceola Magic begin the chase for another title next week.
As the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Magic have a first-round bye and will host Eastern Conference semifinal and final games. The Magic will play the winner of the Long Island Nets and Capital City Go-Go, who play Tuesday, on Friday at 7 p.m. The game will air on ESPN News (But what's the fun in that? Head to the barn and make some noise for the Magic!). Tickets are now available at https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/2024osceola
One of the pieces that got the Osceola Magic into playoff position, and the chance to only need two wins to get into the championship series, center D.J. Wilson, was signed by the Philadelphia 76ers two weeks ago and now lives the NBA dream.
It creates a void in name only. Chris Walker, a veteran of the G League and at 29 years old Osceola’s elder statesman, has filled in admirably. Now a starter, he hit six of his seven shots, and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds when the Magic blitzed the Birmingham Squadron, 168-133, on March 21 when they set a franchise record for points in a game.
“It’s a blessing to be around guys who’ve won championships,” he said. “By far this group is the most talented team I’ve been on, ever. We really have a chance to do something big here. I’m working on being more of a leader now. This is a league of ‘Next man up,’ so that’s how I’m taking it.”
Walker came out of Holmes County High School in Florida’s Panhandle in 2013 with a state championship, a scholarship to the University of Florida and high hopes. After two seasons with the Gators, he went undrafted in 2015 and began a journey into professional basketball familiar to many who lack an opportunity over skill. He played professionally in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Bulgaria, and since 2018 has made stops with seven G League teams, including Osceola.
He goes on, undeterred, and is slated to take the opening tip-off in Friday’s East semifinal.
“I’m just blessed to get up every day and play the game that I love, and compete,” Walker said. “I’m not where I want to be, but I still keep pushing every day.”
Osceola Coach Dylan Murphy said that Walker, whether coming off the bench or getting those starter minutes of late, has been, “Great for us all year.”
“Chris has been playing super-hard on defense and controls the paint when he’s in there,” he said. “And of course we’re super excited for D.J., that’s what this league is about and we hope he kills it up there in Philly.”
Osceola Magic Kevin Tiller said Walker’s place on the team heading into the playoffs as the East’s No. 1 seed is already a victory.
“It’s a success story. We brought him in to be a big body for D.J. to battle against in camp,” Tiller said. “Chris has earned everything he’s gotten this year. I love talking about him.”
If the Magic win Friday, it will host the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. That game will air on ESPN U.
The 3-game NBA G League Finals presented by YouTube TV will be played on Tuesday, April 9, Friday, April 12 and if necessary Monday, April 15.
