There is a special desperation and opportunity that is reserved for the final Summer League game.
Except for those competing in the championship game, the main players are usually gone. In this game alone the Orlando Magic’s Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, R.J. Hampton and Franz Wagner sat out alongside the Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes.
Magic guard Hassani Gravett probably put the approach to the game from everyone involved the right way afterward. He said he left everything on the court. This was the last impression before teams around the world settle their final roster spots.
Orlando may have come up just a bit short. But the team and everyone on it could not say they left anything on the floor. Orlando fell behind early but gave itself every chance to win in a 79-78 loss to Detroit in the Summer League finale for both teams.
The Orlando Magic closed their Summer League run with a near comeback that fell short in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Hassani Gravett was among those leading the way, hitting a big 3-pointer and getting an alley-oop pass from Tahjere McCall. That helped spark a run that became very real with Ignas Brazdeikis draining a late three to bring the Magic within one late.
The Magic though will fall just one shot short. Or maybe two.
As was the theme throughout the week in Las Vegas, 3-pointers just would not fall in the moments they needed. Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said he loved the way the team got downhill into the paint to kick out to the 3-point line. And so it was with the final possession.
After Gravett missed an initial 3-pointer, Orlando picked up the rebound and got a second chance. Gravett attacked the paint and found Brazdeikis open in the corner. His shot missed and Yante Maten only had time to score a putback and pray for a foul. That would not come. The game ended with just a one-point loss.
In the process though, Orlando seemed to build on its defensive foundation. They struggled early on and struggled a ton to defend Saben Lee and Luka Garza. But the Magic found their defensive energy and climbed back into the game each time.
That is a positive to take home in a game that saw little of the Magic’s main guys in action.
Ignas Brazdeikis was the only player for the Orlando Magic playing with the security of a contract next season. He struggled a bit to impress himself on the game early on. But that changed very quickly. In the second half, Brazdeikis started hitting shots from the outside and proved to be a key player in the Magic making this a game.
He finished with 13 points on 5-or-9 shooting, including three for five from beyond the arc. lId game for him. And he played exactly how the Magic might use him as a two-way player. Brazdeikis is experienced and knows his abilities well at the NBA level. There was never any deviation from that.
Janis Timma has not secured his contract status in the NBA quite yet. But among Orlando Magic fans at least, his ability to play in the NBA is seemingly confirmed. It is just a matter of whether the Magic will use one of their precious roster spots on him.
Timma certainly played with the composure and comfort that he has a future somewhere. He was not seemingly playing for a contract. That is not meant to be an insult. He played well and did his work in this game. He just was not playing with the same urgency that others were.
Timma finished with 10 points, hitting three of his four shots with all coming from beyond the arc. Undoubtedly the Magic need that kind of shooting ability and he put it on display all week.
Hassani Gravett was a spark plug for the Orlando Magic all week in Las Vegas. When he got his opportunities, his presence was felt. He shot the ball well and was pesky defensively. Gravett played with the right kind of energy and it showed. He very well could find himself back with the Lakeland Magic at a minimum. He might well have the inside track for the second two-way contract.
Gravett was the best player for the Magic in Monday’s loss. He scored 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting overall. He was able to get to the basket and was proficient from deep. That feels like a requirement for any new guards the Magic might acquire.
Gravett is lively enough that he should get a serious look. This game was confirmation of what a great week he had.
The Orlando Magic undoubtedly put defense as the focus for this Summer League. That is the foundation the team is hoping to build and where everything will shoot off from. As a young team, they want to be energetic defensively. So adding in one of the best defenders from the G-League in the Lakeland Magic’s Tahjere McCall was intriguing to say the least.
McCall did not get a ton of chances throughout the week. But his one big chance on Monday was a mixed bag.
McCall certainly brought the energy. He was involved in a lot of plays, including a critical steal late. But he was not able to execute on several plays. He missed six of his seven shots, many of them bunnies off put backs and on drives where he was in a great position to score. He also was able to make first stops but would get knocked off balance and out of position for rebounds.
The Magic finish the Summer League at 2-3. They will open training camp in late September.