Orlando Magic Summer League Grades: Orlando Magic 91, Golden State Warriors 89

Jalen Suggs had been simmering all game. The rookie was picking his spots and trying to get his legs under him in his first showing as a professional. He was putting up numbers and staying active but in the scattershot way of someone trying to find their way.

Then the light clicked. The game tightened and Suggs seemed to be in his element.

If Suggs’ first game is any indication of what Orlando Magic fans can expect from their rookie, then they are indeed going to be excited by what they have. If coach Jamahl Mosley’s goal for his young team was to start building winning habits, then Suggs seemed to get that message.

Orlando erased a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter thanks in large part to Suggs and his shotmaking. Surprisingly, it was his defense that came through in the biggest moment.

In a tie game with 30 seconds to play, Cole Anthony turned the ball over sparking a 2-on-1 fast break. Jalen Suggs was the lone man back staring down Kyle Guy and Moses Moody. Suggs waited as long as he could to engage Guy and force the pass. It found its way to Moody bug Suggs was there to rise up and block the shot, giving the Magic a chance to win the game again.

It was an incredibly heady play from a rookie playing his first game. What is scary was how natural it felt for Suggs to step up in the big moment.

Suggs would step up in the overtime. Scoring on a goaltend, a layup on a runout for a four-point lead and then from the foul line to ice the game.

It hardly seemed to matter how it happened after all that. The Orlando Magic kicked off their Summer League run with a 91-89 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Jalen Suggs starred in his Orlando Magic debut as the team came from behind for an overtime win over the Golden State Warriors.

It was a sloppy game for Orlando with14 total turnovers. But nothing about Suggs’ game was sloppy. Or too slopping in this case.

Orlando saw plenty of good throughout the roster. For a first Summer League game, there was plenty to like and plenty to improve.

The Magic certainly should have hoped to be a bit more consistent defensively and their offense came and went. For long stretches, the second unit, led by veteran forward Janis Timma, played more cohesively than the first unit.

But the ending kick will be what everyone is talking about. With the game on the line, the team put its starting players back in and they not only erased the remaining deficit but took control of the game late and won it.

Winning is not everything in Summer League, but it certainly counts for something.

Jalen Suggs shined in his summer league debut. His size, poise, shooting and body control are attributes to be admired. Suggs scored the Magic’s first five points on a pull-up jumper and three-pointer. He knocked down 3 of 6 3-pointers and proved he has NBA range.

He finished the game with a game-high 24 points, adding nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals. He shot 9 for 22 from the floor overall and struggled to get his legs under him with the obvious excitement of his first game. But once he settled in, he proved to be the Magic’s best player.

Suggs’ defense should get praise in this one. He led the Magic in blocks with three and was active in passing lanes and chasing down any loose ball. It was hard not to notice him.

Suggs only had one assist but he mostly played shooting guard. It may just be summer league, but there is a lot to like about Suggs’ game.

Cole Anthony had a solid game with six points and six rebounds in 29 minutes. Anthony was not super aggressive and was not looking to score. His first few shots came with the shot clock winding down and he had to force things. He was much better when the let the game come to him.

Anthony finished the night shooting 1 for 9 from the floor. Orlando will hope to see that tick up the next game. But that just may be the role the team wanted him to play this evening.

Where he really made his impact was a defender, something he said he was focusing on this offseason. He was not always perfect at keeping his man in front of him, but he was extremely active throughout the game. He was active on the glass and hounding his man throughout.

Overall he did not have a lot of miscues. You would like to see him dominate in Summer League but it is only the first game.

R.J. Hampton had a ton of miscues and did not look comfortable making decisions with the ball in his hands. He had a team-high five turnovers and further proved he is better suited to play shooting guard or small forward rather than point guard. He did have a terrific reverse layup coming off a steal from Cole Anthony that displayed his athleticism.

Hampton finished the game with nine points on 3-for-6 shooting. Like Anthony, it seemed like Hampton was happy to let Suggs shine in this game and was not too aggressive or assertive looking for his shot.

Franz Wagner is still looking to make a jumper. The 6-foot-10 forward went 0-of-6 from three and 2-of-8 from the field. His one-on-one defense was not too stellar either as Jonathan Kuminga bodied him in the paint on several occasions. It got better as the game went on, but Wagner still could not avoid fouls against the more athletic Kuminga late in the game.

Overall, Wagner looked like a reach with the No. 8 overall pick. But he did show he has a motor and will move his feet on defense. But as for offense, he will need to rely on cutting to the basket for open layups.

The Magic are back in action for their second Summer League game on Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.