2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: D.J. Augustin

Best Game of 2019

April 13 vs. Toronto: 25 points, 6 assists, 9/13 FGs, 4/5 3FGs

D.J. Augustin will forever be a hero in Orlando Magic lore. His face will get replayed over and over again in history videos. He will always get a strong welcome back when he returns — whether in another team’s uniform or as a retired player. He had one of those moments.

In Game 1 of the Magic’s long-awaited return to the playoffs, Augustin played the role of veteran and stepped up. He torched Kyle Lowry getting into the paint and scoring around the basket. He forced the first major adjustment of the series as Nick Nurse moved the bigger Danny Green onto D.J. Augustin to stifle him in the second half.

That did not matter when the game was on the line.

In a tie game with time ticking away, Augustin engaged a pick and roll. Kawhi Leonard tried to go with Nikola Vucevic on a switch and Marc Gasol was late to rotate over. Augustin took advantage of the indecision, draining a 3-pointer to deliver Orlando a 104-101 win and sending the entire city to euphoria.

That moment will live forever with the Magic. It will be one of the most iconic moments in Magic history. Replayed over and over again.

For at least one day, the Magic believed they could get to the next round. The Toronto Raptors made sure that feeling was short-lived the rest of the series.

Augustin was stellar throughout the game. It was not just about that final shot.

He scored 19 of his 25 points in the first half to pace the Magic to a big lead and force that major adjustment in the first game. Cutting off Augustin the rest of the series — 9.8 points per game, 3.3 assists per game and 39.3 percent shooting the rest of the series — was a big part of the Raptors dominating the series.

But he will always have this moment and this game. So will the Magic and their fans.