Orlando Magic Daily
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Top 10 Orlando Magic Moments vs. LeBron James

By Anthony Prodanovich

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers
Markelle Fultz led the most clutch moment of the Orlando Magic’s season in a masterful finish to upset the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic’s top moments vs. LeBron James

8. “Showtime” LeBron

January 15, 2020

118. 20. Final. 119. 38

Almost exactly 11 days before Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing and two months before the NBA season was put on hold due to the COVID pandemic, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Orlando Magic in the then-Staples Center in a game that felt like a turning point for the Magic in their quest for a second straight playoff appearance.

The Lakers had the best record in the Western Conference at 33-7 and second best in the league. Orlando was having one of its few near-.500 experiences in the past decade, holding the 7-seed at 19-21.

A full-fledged Orlando assault saw six players score 15-plus points. Markelle Fultz put in a dazzling 21-point triple-double tying in lead scoring with Aaron Gordon who stuffed his own stat sheet with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Two 19-point contributions from Wesley Iwundu and Nikola Vucevic along with 25 combined from Terrence Ross and Gary Clark rounded out the offensive fight.

LeBron James however delivered a Showtime performance with his 19 points and 19 assists tying his career high from two years previous. Anthony Davis did not dress for this game but Orlando Magic Hall of Famer, Dwight Howard, carried his own with nine points and 16 rebounds.

James handed out assists to eight different players and accounted for 55.8 percent of all assists for the Lakers. Being the hub of offense, James scored or assisted on 66 points and 55.9 percnet of the Lakers’ total points scored.

The Magic led for 37 minutes and 53 seconds when the Lakers attained a lead with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Orlando had the resolve to compete and regained the lead with 4:27 left in the game. Narrowly surviving 3-pointers from all directions until the very end when they edged for the one-point win.

Fultz was especially huge late in the game as this performance cemented his comeback throughout that season.