Orlando Magic rookie Anthony Black produced his first career 20-point performance on Tuesday and earned praise from coach Jamahl Mosley.
Black recorded 23 points, six rebounds, four steals and one assist in a 127-119 victory on the road over the Washington Wizards. He went 9-of-13 from the field, including a career-high 4-of-6 from 3-point range, in 32 minutes of work.
The sixth pick became the fourth rookie this season with at least 20 points and four steals in a game. He surpassed his previous season high (13 points) in the first half after totaling 17 points at the intermission.
“The things that he does don’t always show up in the box score,” Mosley said. “It’s the cuts, rebounds, screening, movement and spacing the floor the right way. The guys did a great job finding him as they shifted off him. He was ready to step in and knock his shot down.”
Black scored the majority of his points assisted, from moving around and cutting on the court to being in the right spots for the open shot. He was seemingly in the right position throughout his time on the court and capitalized on it.
He credited his teammates for finding him.
“I got a couple of ones in transition and then just got pretty open 3s, to be honest,” Black said. “I’m pretty sure most of my points were assisted, so it definitely goes out to the guys for finding me.”
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— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 27, 2023
Black was out of the rotation to start the season, but the Magic turned to him once Markelle Fultz went down with a knee injury. He is tied for the fourth-most starts by a rookie this season (23) and has been with that group for the past 21 games.
Tuesday marked the fourth time Black has scored in double figures this season. The team has often turned to him on the defensive end, but the 19-year-old took advantage of coverages and put up his best offensive night to date.
“I think the coaches have done a great job with him,” Mosley said. “He has done a heck of a job continuing to work, not just on his shot but just overall reading and studying the game. Coach (Jeremiah) Boswell does a great job with him, getting him in the gym, coming in early and staying late, and that’s who he is.”
After playing sparingly to start the season, Black has stepped in and has helped the Magic to a 15-8 record in the starting lineup. He has provided a presence on both ends of the court in place of Fultz, and is producing nightly.
With Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony handling the bulk of the scoring, the team likely will not need Black to score 20 points every night. Instead, they will rely on his effort and hustle plays, which Black is more than comfortable providing.
“We’re playing good ball right now, and I’m just trying to focus on that,” Black said. “I know it is going to come game by game, and I’m getting more comfortable, so I’m just trying to do the things that are helping us win.”
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