Magic backups rally to inspire Summer League return

ORLANDO — A team’s depth beyond its starting lineup is often the difference between winning and losing. For the Orlando Magic, their second unit was the difference between a first loss and a win in NBA 2K25 Summer League.

The Magic’s bench was crucial in the second half of their 91-86 victory Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans in Las Vegas.

“They did a great job of staying calm and understanding how to handle the pressure,” Magic summer league coach Lionel Chalmers said. “They did a good job of handling the pressure, staying patient and getting what we needed to get through it.”

Of the bench’s 27 points, 20 came in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Xavier Moon, Jared Rhoden and Charlie Brown Jr. combined to score the team’s first 11 points, cutting a seven-point deficit to two with 6:17 left. Reinserted into the lineup, the starters outscored the Pelicans 20-13 in the final five minutes of the game.

Moon was particularly decisive, scoring seven of his ten points in the second half.

“That’s veteran leadership,” Tristan da Silva said of Moon, 29. “That’s particularly important in a position and he did it from start to finish. Credit to him for being able to get everyone on the same page and set the tone. (It) shows how well this team works and how well connected we are.”

Rhoden finished with seven points, while Brown Jr. and Kaiser Gates each had three points and two steals.

Moon played the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers and their G League affiliate, while Rhoden spent the last two years with the Detroit Pistons. Brown Jr. has played for five different teams since entering the league in 2019. Gates was with the Pelicans last season.