LAS VEGAS — Facing the Trail Blazers in the second Summer League game of a back-to-back, the Magic were without second-year pros Jase Richardson and Noah Penda at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion on Sunday night.
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But they still found a way to win in overtime.
Guards TyTy Washington Jr. and Philip Wheeler got the start alongside Lester Quinones and Magic two-way players Colin Castleton and Alex Morales. Wheeler, Quinones, Castleton and Morales spent last season with Osceola, Orlando’s G League affiliate.
Without Richardson and Penda, the Magic needed an additional two minutes of action to overcome a double-digit deficit and secure a second consecutive Summer League victory, 112-105, against the Trail Blazers.
“Everybody stayed ready,” Bakker said after the seven-point win. “When you talk about being a connected team, that’s what it looks like. So, I was really proud of the guys for how connected they were and also for the resiliency through an up-and-down game.”
Quinones led all scorers with 30 points, Castleton added 21 and Wheeler notched 18. Quinones also led the Magic with eight rebounds. Castleton contributed seven rebounds.
Keon Johnson (15 points) sank two free throws to tie the game 101-101 with 6.2 seconds remaining in regulation. Wheeler opened up the extra period with a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Morales (10 points) sank a triple from the right corner shortly after.
Orlando trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half, but stormed back to take its first lead of the game at 64-62 with 2:51 left in the third quarter. The contest was tied 71-71 entering the fourth.
The Magic then outscored the Trail Blazers 11-4 in the overtime period to improve to 2-1 in Las Vegas.
“There was just a switch in our energy,” Quinones said. “Whether you were watching in-person or on TV, you could see when that shift happened. Defensively, we kind of just emphasized bringing energy and playing harder than them.
“And I feel like that third-quarter stint right when we were pressuring a little bit, you could just feel the shift in the game,” he added.
Quinones beat the buzzer at the end of the second quarter for his second 3-pointer of the game and added two more triples early in the fourth. In addition to an overtime 3-pointer, Wheeler’s performance was also highlighted by a running slam dunk in the fourth.
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Second-round pick Izaiyah Nelson came off the bench for a third consecutive Summer League contest but exited early due to an injury. Around the seven-minute mark of the second quarter, Nelson came flying in for a block but accidentally landed on Washington (12 points, six rebounds), who was trying to take a charge on a layup attempt from Portland’s Quincy Olivari.
Nelson was later diagnosed with a sprained left ankle, and he’s considered day-to-day.
“We don’t play again until Wednesday so we’ll give him a chance to recovery and see where he’s at,” Bakker said about the second-round pick out of the University of South Florida.
For Portland, Jayson Kent led the way with 20 points, Chris Youngblood scored 14 and Olivari added 13 off the bench. Although the Trail Blazers shot a solid 37% from 3-point range (15 for 41), the Magic were more efficient at 48% from distance (12 for 25).
The decision to rest Richardson and Penda was made in part because of the back-to-back. Orlando’s coaching staff also wanted to give other players further down the depth chart a chance to see the floor for the first time in Las Vegas.
Cam Reddish (right knee bone bruise) also missed his third straight Summer League contest for Orlando. Portland was without 2025 No. 16 pick Yang Hansen due to an illness, the team said.
In two Summer League games, Penda has averaged 17.5 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and 2.5 blocks across 28.7 minutes per contest. Meanwhile, Richardson has averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, five assists and one steal during 30.2 minutes per game.
It remains to be determined whether or not Penda or Richardson will suit up again for the Magic in Las Vegas. After Sunday, Orlando has two days off before it faces the 76ers on Wednesday night at Thomas & Mack Center (7 p.m., ESPNU).
The Magic will then play a fifth Summer League game based on the outcome of the first four exhibitions.
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Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]