Orlando Magic Falls Short vs. Atlanta Hawks in Mexico City Behind Trae Young Heroics
The Orlando Magic is heading back to the United States on a quiet flight after losing a 120-119 affair to the Atlanta Hawks at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
Hawks point guard Trae Young was electric in the first half, dropping 33 points, but the Magic stayed in it by shooting 50 percent from the field and trailing by just four.
In the third quarter, the Magic took a step in the right direction, winning the quarter by nine and taking a five-point lead going into the fourth quarter ... but Orlando wasn't able to finish it off.
The opening tipoff between Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) and Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) during the 2023 NBA Mexico City Game at the Arena CDMX
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Despite leading by as much as 11 points in the fourth quarter, the Magic was unable to finish the job. The game was tied with less than a minute to go, and Franz Wagner was able to give Orlando a two-point lead. But on the next possession, Young found an open Dejounte Murray in the corner, who knocked down the game-winning triple.
The Magic had one final possession, but Paolo Banchero was unable to knock down his 3-point look and Orlando couldn't get another look in the final seconds.
The loss puts the Magic back at .500, and the team will have to return to the drawing board with a difficult week ahead filled with a long road trip and a pair of In-Season Tournament Games.
But before that, the Magic is back in action Saturday when Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks come to town. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET inside the Amway Center.
