Osceola Magic Archives - Positively Osceola

Osceola Magic Come Up Just Short in Finals, But Win Our Community’s Heart

riverrat — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:19:01 +0000

Though the championship slipped away in Game 3, the Osceola Magic captured something even greater — the unwavering love and pride of their hometown fans.

In a thrilling winner-take-all Game 3 of the NBA G League Finals, the Osceola Magic came up just short, falling to the Stockton Kings 118-110 on Monday night at Osceola Heritage Park in front of a sellout crowd of 3,421.

Despite a standout effort from Ethan Thompson, who poured in 28 points on 8-of-17 shooting, and a double-double performance by Myron Gardner with 20 points and 14 rebounds, the Magic were unable to stop a late fourth-quarter push by Stockton.

The Kings’ bench proved to be the difference-maker, with Dexter Dennis scoring 23 points, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Isaac Jones, on assignment from the Sacramento Kings, added 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Mason Jones delivered a 19-point, 13-assist performance to earn NBA G League Finals MVP honors.

The Osceola Magic finish the 2024-25 season with a strong 22-12 regular season record, capping a memorable year that included a trip to the franchise’s second-ever G League Finals.

They played with heart, grit, and passion all season long—and they’ve won something even bigger than a title: our community’s heart. 💙

🎟️ Season tickets for the 2025-26 NBA G League season are now available!
Visit OsceolaMagic.com/2025-26-tickets or call 407-447-2140 for more information.

Photo Source: Osceola Magic, OsceolaMagic.com

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Myron Gardner’s 30-Point Masterclass Lifts Osceola Magic to Game 1 Win in NBA G League Finals

riverrat — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 09:53:47 +0000

Myron Gardner saved his best for the brightest stage.

The Osceola Magic forward exploded for a postseason career-high 30 points, including 21 in the second half, to power Osceola past the Stockton Kings 129-118 in Game 1 of the NBA G League Finals presented by YouTube TV on Tuesday night. With the win, the Magic take a commanding 1-0 series lead and head west with a chance to clinch their first-ever G League title on Friday in Stockton.

Gardner wasn’t just filling up the stat sheet—he was everywhere. In addition to his scoring outburst, he collected six steals and served as the emotional anchor in a game that saw both teams deadlocked at 60-60 at halftime.

“This group just understands when someone’s hot, you feed him,” said Head Coach Dylan Murphy. “Tonight, it was Myron. I was just standing there watching them call plays for each other. Even Mac [McClung] was saying, ‘We need to get it to Myron.’ That’s what we did.”

Mac McClung, no stranger to playoff heroics, poured in 29 points and added seven assists, serving as the perfect complement to Gardner’s hot hand. Ethan Thompson provided a crucial spark to open the third quarter, scoring eight of the team’s first 12 points after the break to help the Magic pull away for good.

On the other side, Terry Taylor led the Kings with 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting, while Skal Labissière contributed a strong 18-point, 10-rebound double-double. Despite the loss, Stockton will have a chance to even the series at home.

What’s Next:

The Finals shift to Adventist Health Arena in California on Friday, April 11, where the Magic can secure the title with a win in Game 2. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. ET on ESPNews.

If needed, Game 3 will return to Osceola Heritage Park on Monday, April 14 at 8 p.m. ET, airing live on ESPN2. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a limited-edition G League Finals t-shirt, courtesy of AdventHealth.

Tickets for Game 3 (if necessary) are available at OsceolaMagic.com/playoffs or by calling 407-447-2140.

With momentum on their side and a team-first mentality that’s clicked all postseason long, the Osceola Magic are just one win away from championship glory.

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Osceola Magic Punch Ticket to NBA G League Finals with Electrifying Win Over Maine Celtics

riverrat — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 04:01:29 +0000

For just the second time in franchise history, the Osceola Magic are heading to the NBA G League Finals, and they’re doing it in commanding fashion. Backed by an explosive performance from Mac McClung and an energized home crowd, the Magic defeated the Maine Celtics 135-122 on Sunday night at Osceola Heritage Park, winning the Eastern Conference Finals series 2-1.

McClung followed up his semifinal heroics with an even more dazzling display, pouring in 42 points on 16-of-26 shooting, including 20 points in the second quarter alone, breaking his own records and igniting the Osceola crowd. The Magic guard’s aggressive, high-flying style set the tone and gave Osceola the edge when the Celtics threatened to shift the momentum.

“Myron Gardner” provided strong two-way support, finishing with 17 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, anchoring the Magic’s interior and perimeter efforts.

Despite the loss, Maine’s JD Davison, recently named G League MVP, delivered an impressive 34-point, 11-assist performance, while Drew Peterson added 25 points, knocking down five three-pointers. Still, the Celtics fell short of stopping a red-hot Osceola team that has now beaten Maine three times this season.

Though the Celtics briefly took a 79-78 lead in the third quarter, McClung answered just nine seconds later with a floater to reclaim the lead — and the Magic never looked back. The game remained intense, but Osceola’s poise and home-court energy carried them through the final buzzer.

After the game, Head Coach Dylan Murphy credited the passionate home crowd for giving the team an edge in high-pressure moments.

“Phenomenal. It gives your guys so much energy,” Murphy said. “There was a sequence where they [Maine] tried to throw a lob, Mac got the deflection, and we scored at the other end. They called timeout and the crowd was going crazy. We had to calm ourselves down just a little bit. The energy was just so big in the building. It was unbelievable for us, and it really pushed us.”

G League Finals – What’s Next:

The Osceola Magic will face the Stockton Kings in the 2024 NBA G League Finals, presented by YouTube TV.

Game 1: Tuesday, April 8 at 8 p.m. ET at Osceola Heritage Park
Game 3 (if necessary): Will also be hosted in Osceola

Playoff tickets are available at OsceolaMagic.com/playoffs or by calling 407-447-2140.

Osceola’s hometown team is on the brink of a championship — and the community is ready to rally. One game down, two to go. Let the Finals begin.

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Osceola Magic Stay Hot, Advance to Eastern Conference Finals with Dominant Playoff Win Over Mad Ants

riverrat — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:12:12 +0000

The Osceola Magic picked up right where they left off.

One of the G League’s hottest teams to close the regular season, the top-seeded Magic opened the playoffs with a commanding 129-114 win over the Indiana Mad Ants on Thursday night at Osceola Heritage Park. With the victory, they advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they’ll host the Maine Celtics on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

“It’s super exciting,” said head coach Dylan Murphy. “Winning in the playoffs is the most important thing at any level… but we’re not done yet.”

Osceola came out firing, building a 21-point lead by the end of the first quarter, fueled by strong starts from Mac McClung and Ethan Thompson. Thompson scored 15 of his 29 points in the opening frame, while McClung delivered a franchise-playoff-record 39 points, putting on a clinic throughout the night.

“You can’t take these opportunities for granted,” said Thompson. “We were ready.”

McClung’s dagger 3-pointer with just over five minutes left sealed the deal as he turned to the crowd and declared, “This is my house.”

“These fans have embraced us,” McClung said. “But we’re not satisfied. We know what we want.”

The Magic shot 48.8% from the field and 46.2% from three, while locking down Indiana to just 28.2% from beyond the arc.

“We defended at a super high level,” Murphy added. “We protected the paint, rebounded, and ran.”

Now, the Magic—who held the G League’s best home record in the East (13-4)—will try to punch their ticket to the Finals on their home court. They went 2-0 against Maine this season, both wins coming on the road.

“We expect Maine’s best shot,” McClung said. “But that’s exactly what we want. This is who we are, and we’re ready for the challenge.”

SOURCE: NBA.com, Osceola Magic, Dan Savage, OsceolaMagic.com

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Osceola Magic’s Mac McClung Named NBA G League Player of the Week

riverrat — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:10:23 +0000

The NBA G League has announced that Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung has been named NBA G League Player of the Week for games played Monday, March 24 through Sunday, March 30. This marks the third time in McClung’s career that he has received the honor, and his first since March 2024.

McClung was instrumental in leading the Magic to a 3-1 record last week, helping secure the top-overall seed in the upcoming NBA G League Playoffs presented by Google Pixel. The Gate City native scored a league-best 131 total points over four games, highlighted by a career-high and franchise-record 46 points in an overtime victory against the Birmingham Squadron on March 28.

For the week, McClung averaged 32.8 points per game, shooting an impressive 52.8% from the field (41-of-80) and 41.7% from beyond the arc (15-of-36). He also contributed 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and played 34.8 minutes per game.

The Osceola Magic, now the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year, earned a first-round bye in the NBA G League Playoffs. They return to action on Wednesday, April 3, facing the Indiana Mad Ants in the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Osceola Heritage Park. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, with live coverage on ESPNews.

🎟️ Tickets for all potential Osceola Magic home playoff games are available at OsceolaMagic.com/playoffs or by calling 407-447-2140.

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Osceola Magic’s Dylan Murphy Named NBA G League Coach of the Month for March After Leading Osceola to No. 1 Seed

riverrat — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:35:48 +0000

The NBA G League announced today that Osceola Magic Head Coach Dylan Murphy has been named the NBA G League Coach of the Month for March.

This marks the first time Coach Murphy has received the honor, a testament to his leadership and the team’s standout performance throughout the month.

“It’s all about the guys and the way they’ve played,” said Murphy. “Every award we get at this point is about the team. Obviously, it’s an honor and I’m super grateful, but it’s been about the way our guys have been playing. That’s really what the coach of the month awards are about.”

The Magic ended February in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11-9. Murphy led the Magic to an 11-3 record during March and helped the team secure the top-overall seed in the upcoming NBA G League Playoffs, presented by Google Pixel. For the second-straight season, the Magic earned the one-seed in the Eastern Conference.

Osceola had the highest-scoring offense in the G League, scoring 123.9 points per game. The Magic also finished fourth in field-goal percentage (48.8) and fifth in three-point percentage (38.7) during their March run.

The Magic earned a first-round bye in the NBA G League Playoffs and will return to action on Apr. 3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Indiana Mad Ants at Osceola Heritage Park. Tipoff will be at 8 p.m. ET and will air on ESPNews.

Tickets for all potential Osceola Magic home games are available at OsceolaMagic.com/playoffs or by calling 407-447-2140.

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Osceola Magic Clinch Top-Two Seed Playoff Spot in the East with Record-Setting OT Win Over Birmingham

riverrat — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 10:12:42 +0000

Just two days after securing a playoff berth, the Osceola Magic (21-12) locked in a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference with a thrilling 124-122 overtime victory against the Birmingham Squadron (12-21) on Friday night at Osceola Heritage Park.

Mac McClung delivered a historic performance, dropping a franchise-record 46 points, including the game-winning free throw that sealed the victory and hit the target score of 124 in overtime. McClung scored five of the team’s seven points in the extra period, leading Osceola to a gritty win in front of an electric home crowd.

The Squadron made a furious comeback, overcoming an 18-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. Davon Reed led Birmingham with 28 points, while Jalen Crutcher added 26, including the clutch, game-tying three-pointer with 32 seconds left in regulation.

Despite a slow start and fourth-quarter struggles, the Magic’s resolve—and McClung’s dominance—prevailed.

“Obviously we’re happy we won,” said Head Coach Dylan Murphy. “It wasn’t our best performance, but at this time of year, you just have to find a way. Mac had a great night and carried us. We’ll clean things up, but we got it done.”

Up Next:

The Magic close out the regular season with a rematch against the Birmingham Squadron on Saturday, March 29 at 7 p.m. Fans can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network Sun and NBAGLeague.com.

The game will also feature Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Starry. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Mac McClung bobblehead, courtesy of AdventHealth.

🎟 Tickets: OsceolaMagic.com/home-schedule
📞 Or call 407-447-2140.

Playoff Ticket Info:

The Magic will begin their fifth NBA G League Playoff run on April 1. Fans can secure playoff tickets for potential home games at:
👉 OsceolaMagic.com/playoffs

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Osceola Magic Clinch Second-Straight Playoff Berth with Gritty Win Over Motor City Cruise

riverrat — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 11:23:47 +0000

The Osceola Magic (20-12) punched their ticket to the NBA G League Playoffs for the second straight season with a hard-fought 109-105 victory over the Motor City Cruise (18-15) on Wednesday night at Osceola Heritage Park.

With the postseason tipping off on April 1, the Magic’s exact seeding in the Eastern Conference remains up in the air, but their place in the bracket is now secured.

Mac McClung led the charge for Osceola, pouring in 26 points on 8-of-19 shooting while dishing out five assists. Patrick Gardner brought energy off the bench, scoring 16 points on an efficient 6-of-9 from the field and tying a career-high with four made three-pointers. Gardner also pulled down a season-high 13 rebounds, while Myron Gardner was a force on the glass as well, matching his career-high with 16 boards.

The Cruise kept it close behind three standout double-double performances. Bobi Klintman, on assignment, tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds. Daniss Jenkins added 18 points and 11 assists, while Tolu Smith chipped in 11 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

Wednesday’s game also marked a milestone for Alex Morales, who appeared in his 92nd career game with the Magic—passing BJ Johnson for third-most games played in franchise history.

Coach Dylan Murphy on the Win and What’s Ahead:

“For us, seeding is really important, and we want to play here at Osceola Heritage Park. These two games against Birmingham—we’re going in super focused. But today was a huge win. Motor City is a tough team. They fought like hell, we knew they would, and we were able to pull it out.”

Up Next: Final Homestand and Looney Tunes Night

The Magic begin their final regular-season homestand on Friday, March 28, opening a two-game series against the Birmingham Squadron. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with coverage airing on FanDuel Sports Network Florida and NBAGLeague.com.

Friday’s game will also feature Looney Tunes Night, presented by Valencia College. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Daffy Duck bobblehead, courtesy of Experience Kissimmee.

🎟 Tickets are available at OsceolaMagic.com/home-schedule or by calling 407-447-2140.

Playoff Ticket Information:

The Osceola Magic are heading to their fifth NBA G League Playoff appearance, starting April 1. Fans can purchase tickets for any potential home games at Osceola Heritage Park by visiting
👉 OsceolaMagic.com/playoffs

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Mac McClung and Ethan Thompson Takeover City Kia of Greater Orlando for Fan Meet and Greet

riverrat — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:41:48 +0000

Osceola Magic two-way players Mac McClung and Ethan Thompson greeted fans at City KIA of Greater Orlando this past Saturday. The two guards signed autographs and took pictures with fans as they visited the dealership.

“What an amazing day. It’s great to celebrate the Osceola Magic, our local heroes here,” says City KIA general manager Raul Gomila. “City KIA and the Magic have a strong partnership and we’re looking forward to continuing that in 2025-2026. I’m here speaking on behalf of one dealer, but I’m proud of all our fellow dealers in Central Florida. We’re completely in support of the Osceola Magic and the Orlando Magic. We’re really excited for this partnership to continue for many years.”

McClung and Thompson, along with the rest of the Magic team, were on the back end of a five-game homestand but took time before their final game on Sunday to interact with the fans.

“Putting together this event with City KIA has been incredible,” said Osceola Magic Vice President Carlos Velez. “We know this partnership with them is just the beginning of fun activations for the Osceola community. Seeing Mac interact with fans in front of the K5 model that he dunked over in the dunk contest just showcases the strong ties between the Magic and KIA and makes this event even more special.”

The Osceola Magic are currently ranked third in the Eastern Conference standings with just six games left in the regular season. The next home game at Osceola Heritage Park will be on Mon. Mar. 24 against the Motor City Cruise*. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on FanDuel Sports Network Sun and Roku Sports Channel.

The game against the Cruise will be the Magic’s Pickleball Night, presented by 7 Brew. Tickets are available at OsceolaMagic.com/home-schedule or by calling 407-447-2140.

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Osceola Magic Roll Past Stockton Kings 137-119 as Mac McClung Scores 32

riverrat — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 10:15:25 +0000

The Osceola Magic (17-10) took the first game of a weekend series 137-119 against the Stockton Kings (18-10) on Friday night. Mac McClung led the Magic in scoring with 32 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field and 4-of-10 from behind the arc. Ethan Thompson scored 19 points, including three threes. Slawson recorded his third double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Kings two-way player Mason Jones scored 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting with four threes to lead Stockton. Terry Taylor tallied 25 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

Up Next:

Osceola will finish their five-game homestand with another match up against the Stockton Kings on Sun. Mar. 16. Tip off will be at 3 p.m. ET and air on FanDuel Sports Network Florida and NBA TV. The first 1,000 fans will receive an Osceola Magic stein courtesy of Krush Brau Park. Tickets are available at OsceolaMagic.com/home-schedule or by calling 407-447-2140.

Head Coach Dylan Murphy:

“We’re in the fight. We’re in the playoff fight so every game is important. Stockton is a really good team. You saw the run they made at the start of the fourth quarter. We know they’re going to punch and we have to punch back every game. Every minute of every game. We’ll be ready on Sunday, but this was a helpful win for us.”

In Case You Missed It:

Colin Castleton made his first career NBA start for the Toronto Raptors on Wed. Mar. 12 against the Philadelphia 76ers. The former Osceola Magic center scored seven points while recording career highs in rebounds (14), blocks (3) and minutes (40).

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