The Orlando Magic will be without several key players again when they face the visiting Utah Jazz on Sunday, creating another prime opportunity for promising rookie Tristan da Silva.
The 23-year-old da Silva continued to impress on Friday, when he scored a career-best 25 points and was 5-for-7 from 3-point range in Orlando’s 106-97 road win over the Toronto Raptors.
The Magic could use a repeat performance against Utah, which ended a five-game losing streak with a 136-100 win over the host Miami Heat on Saturday.
Orlando’s first-round selection — No. 18 overall — in the NBA draft last June, da Silva is averaging 9.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 32 games (25 starts).
“He’s definitely not getting enough recognition as a rookie,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “But he’s doing it just because he’s playing the right way. He’s trying to play the right way defensively and offensively. He’s just just trying to find ways to help this team win.
“Putting the ball in his hands and having him make tough decisions at times is what he’s capable of doing. He’s willing to take on all challenges. He’s going to continue to improve and grow as this team goes.”
The short-handed Magic added to their lengthy injury list when Jalen Suggs sustained a lower back strain in the first half of the game against the Raptors.
Cole Anthony played well after starting the second half in place of Suggs. Anthony finished with nine points and tied his career high with 11 assists in 34 minutes.
Suggs will be unavailable against Utah, while Gary Harris will miss his second straight game with a left hamstring strain. Anthony Black has missed the past three games with a low-back contusion and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Orlando has the lowest 3-point percentage (31.0) in the NBA, but made a season-best 19 3s in the victory. They’ll look to carry that success against Utah.
The Jazz are coming off their most dominant victory of the season after leading by as many as 43 against Miami on Saturday.
Utah second-year wing Brice Sensabaugh led Utah with a career-high 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field and 7 of 11 from beyond the arc.
“Really happy for Brice. He’s put in a lot of work,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “Last year he didn’t get as much opportunity as maybe he wanted, but he’s continued to work on his game.
“He’s continued to work on making quicker decisions with the ball, and then there are moments where his talent really shines through. Brice is a really, really good young player, he’s got a good feel and he’s got a great pace that he plays with.”
Sensabaugh is heading home for Sunday’s contest. He was born and raised in Orlando, attending high school at Lake Highland Preparatory and earning Florida Mr. Basketball honors as a senior in 2021-22.
Utah forward John Collins returned to face Miami after missing five games with a hip contusion and had 24 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 28 minutes.
The Jazz also received a spark from center Walker Kessler, who had 14 points and 16 rebounds in the victory.
–Field Level Media
