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2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: D.J. Augustin

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Best Game of 2018

March 14 vs. Milwaukee: 32 points, 9/15 FGs, 6/9 3FGs, 4 assists

D.J. Augustin scored a career-high 32 points and simply drained shots in this surprising March win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Coming off a disappointing West Coast road trip, this seemed like a game where the Magic could easily have packed it in and taken the schedule loss.

Instead, D.J. Augustin and Jonathon Simmons both went off. Simmons also had 30-plus points and stole most of the headlines. That is fine for Augustin. He has always largely operated in the background.

There was no operating in the background this time. Augustin was taking the Bucks to task every time down the court. He drove and probed the paint with ease, turning the afterburners on to get to the basket and finish before the bigs could collapse. The Bucks’ defense was not interested in defending a ton anyway.

Leaving Augustin open was not a smart decision either. It never was. He drained 3-pointers whenever he had space. This was Augustin in rhythm. And that was always dangerous. But like with most things with Augustin, none of it ever felt forced.

Augustin was not trying to go out and score 30 points, he was just taking what the defense gave him. That was all anyone could ask of him. And sometimes that means he would turn in these games.

A year ago, he would not have done that. There may not have been a time in his career before this opportunity he would do what he did in this game. His confidence was flowing and Augustin continued a strong run to end the season.