Orlando Magic Daily
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A look back at Tracy McGrady’s best performances with the Orlando Magic

By Ruben Badillo

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 30: Tracy McGrady #1 of the Orlando Magic prepares to dunk on a breakaway during the game against the Washington Wizards at TD Waterhouse Centre on December 30, 2002 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic won 112-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2002 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 30: Tracy McGrady #1 of the Orlando Magic prepares to dunk on a breakaway during the game against the Washington Wizards at TD Waterhouse Centre on December 30, 2002 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic won 112-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2002 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images) /
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McGrady Game-Winning layup with 2.7 seconds remaining

Another great memorable Tracy McGrady moment happened on March 28, 2001 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Orlando Magic took a 96-95 victory while McGrady dropped 44 points, nine rebounds and six assists. It was not just the numbers he put up that made this night remarkable, McGrady led the Magic to a win with a game-winning layup.

"“It’s just time for me to step up down the stretch of this season,” McGrady told the Orlando Sentinel at the time. “I was going to find a way for us to win. I just knew we were, even when we fell behind. I’ve been in this situation, and failed too many times, this season. This one was mine.”"

Tracy McGrady was still establishing himself in the league at this time. He had been an All-Star but was not quite the household name he would become. Toppling Allen Iverson in a scorer’s duel — Iverson had 37 points in the game — was a major national statement.

The game-winning layup tied McGrady’s then-career high in points. It also became McGrady’s first game-winning shot of his career, though this was not his last game-winning shot. But this is what made this one very special.

And Orlando needed the win too. The Magic would finish that season with the seventh seed in the Playoffs. And this late-season win proved important in not only establishing McGrady’s credentials as an elite player but getting his team to the postseason. Proving McGrady could be a leader for this young team.