The Orlando Magic soldiered through a rough day as they fell to the LA Clippers at the Amway Center. Their minds, like everyone else, was on Kobe Bryant.
The atmosphere inside the Amway Center was muted for the Orlando Magic’s game against the LA Clippers. It felt like everyone — the players, the teams, the broadcast, the energy int he building — was somewhere else. They really were somewhere else.
The world had learned a few hours ago that Kobe Bryant had died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and seven others. It was a tragedy beyond words that shook the sports world to its core.
So many players in the NBA grew up idolizing Bryant. Magic guard Evan Fournier tweeted before the game that this one was going to be hard. And it was not merely for the Western Conference elite opponent lining up against the Magic.
The game started with tears and a moment of silence. The Clippers took a 24-second shot-clock violation on the first play of the game. The Magic followed suit with Markelle Fultz dribbling the ball alone in the backcourt for an 8-second backcourt violation.
That was a fitting tribute. He would have wanted players to go on. But it was difficult.
The rest of the game was a search for the energy and attention to play a game on a day where everyone lost so much.
The Clippers defeated the Magic 112-97 at the Amway Center on Sunday. The result seemed secondary to everything else that happened in the day. Everyone seemed like they were caught in a stupor.
Orlando had decent enough energy early in the game. The Magic took an 11-point lead in the second quarter. But the Clippers’ talent eventually won out.
Kawhi Leonard started working to get to his spots. The Magic’s defense was late and a hair off. The Clippers paraded to the line and they had the lead by halftime.
Orlando’s lethargic play really kicked in during the second half. At one point in the third quarter, FOX Sports Florida reporter Dante Marchitelli reported coach Steve Clifford telling his team they have to make some open shots and be professional.
It can be that easy sometimes. Orlando shot just 35.8 percent from the floor and 7 for 32 from beyond the arc.
The Magic’s bench crew led by Michael Carter-Williams and Mohamed Bamba got the 19-point deficit down to seven in the fourth quarter. They played with great defensive energy and gave themselves a chance.
That is until Leonard re-entered the game and put it away for the Clippers. Somehow, that seemed not to matter as much. This one did not sting nearly as much as the other loss suffered during the day.
The Orlando Magic are now 21-26, one game ahead of the Brooklyn Nets for seventh in the Eastern Conference and 3.5 games ahead of the Chicago Bulls for eighth.
The Orlando Magic return to action Monday against the Miami Heat in Miami.