ORLANDO, Fla. — In a compelling showdown, Immanuel Quickley showcased his prowess by netting 17 of his 24 points during the latter half, aiding the Toronto Raptors in securing a narrow 104-102 triumph over the Orlando Magic on a Sunday night contest.
The game concluded with an intense finale as Franz Wagner of the Magic narrowly missed a driving layup in the last seconds, ensuring the Raptors’ victory, even though they went scoreless for the last 2 minutes and 52 seconds. An unfortunate backcourt turnover by Toronto handed the Magic a chance with just 4.7 seconds remaining, but Orlando couldn’t capitalize.
RJ Barrett contributed significantly to Toronto’s win with 22 points, while his teammate Jakob Poeltl recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Franz Wagner led the charge for the Magic with 25 points, followed closely by Paolo Banchero, who added 23 points, including a pivotal three-point play that narrowed the Raptors’ lead to just four points, making it 104-100.
A concerning moment occurred as Raptors guard Gradey Dick exited the game after being accidentally struck on the face by the back of Cole Anthony’s head during a fall late in the first half.
Key insights from the game reflect how Quickley’s dynamic performance, with four assists included, fell just one point shy of his season’s best. His energetic surge in the last moments of the third quarter played a crucial role in helping the Raptors steer clear of suffering a fourth consecutive defeat.
On the other side, the Magic faces a challenging time as they disclosed that Jalen Suggs requires knee surgery. This added to their woes as they faced a fourth loss in five home games. With Suggs having missed 25 out of the past 26 games, the Magic’s record in these matches has dipped to 7-18.
A pivotal moment saw Quickley sinking a 3-pointer, executing a three-point play, assisting Jonathan Mogbo for a layup, and securing another three-point play during the final 74 seconds of the third quarter. This remarkable display fueled a 12-1 scoring blitz that provided Toronto with an 81-72 edge.
From the bench, Jamal Snead distinguished himself by scoring 12 points, contributing to the Raptors’ 30-21 advantage in bench scoring, thereby playing a vital role in the team’s success.
Both teams are set to meet again for another exciting matchup in Orlando on Tuesday night.
