Orlando Magic |

Beede’s breakdown: Magic come up short to Hawks, Trae Young’s 41 points in Mexico City

In an international high-scoring affair, the Magic fell in the closing moments against the Hawks in Mexico City late Thursday night.

Despite 21 points from Jalen Suggs and seven double-digit scorers for Orlando, Jamahl Mosley’s squad fell 120-119 to Atlanta (5-3), which was powered by 41 points from All-Star guard Trae Young at Arena CDMX.

The matchup, which counted as a home game for Orlando (4-4), was the Magic’s first against an Eastern Conference opponent.

The Magic return to Amway Center on Saturday to host the Milwaukee Bucks (Bally Sports Florida, 6) before heading to Brooklyn on Tuesday to open group play of the NBA In-Season Tournament against the Nets and starting a four-game road trip.

Starting 5

Markelle Fultz returned to the starting lineup after missing the last three games due to left knee tendinitis.

He joined regulars Suggs, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Center Goga Bitadze made his second consecutive start in place of Wendell Carter Jr., who recently underwent surgery to repair a fractured third metacarpal in his left hand.

Fultz scored 13 points in 29 minutes with Orlando’s first five.

Suggs shot the ball well to finish 4 of 5 from 3-point range. On defense, he added a career-high 6 steals despite picking up three fouls in the first half.

Banchero, who missed the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final seconds, finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists but recorded a game-high 5 turnovers.

The starters were responsible for 13 of Orlando’s 19 turnovers, which Atlanta turned into 25 points.

Second Unit

Reserve sharpshooter Gary Harris (right groin strain) missed his third straight game.

With Harris out and the Magic adjusting to the high altitude of Mexico City, Mosley used 11 players.

Mosley leaned with Moe Wagner and Jonathan Isaac down the stretch of the game instead of Bitadze, who was prone to fouling and sending Atlanta to the line for freebies. Wagner led the bench with 13 points.

Initially listed as questionable, Isaac (sore left hamstring) upgraded to available a few hour before tipoff. He caused havoc on defense with 2 blocks and 7 rebounds while adding 12 points in 16 minutes.

Chuma Okeke made a first-half appearance but only played two minutes with a badly missed 3-pointer.

Rookie Watch

Anthony Black scored 9 points in 17 minutes. Despite three fouls in the first half, Black played reliable defense and used his length to cause problems at times for Young.

A corner 3 in the fourth quarter moved him to 5 of 8 from beyond the arc for the season (62.5%). Black shot 30% in one year at Arkansas.

Commissioner’s Comments

During an in-game interview in the first quarter, NBA commissioner Adam Silver raved about the Magic and the team’s potential.

He described Orlando as a team that’s “on the up and up” while highlighting coaching, roster talent and organization leadership.

“Coach Mosley, I think, he’s done a fantastic job,” Silver said. “Again, congratulations to the Wagners for winning the World Cup, of course, in basketball.

“You’ve got a lot of incredible talent on this team. They’re really well coached. Great leadership from the top and great ownership. So, all of the ingredients for an up and coming franchise. We’re seeing it on the floor tonight.”

More missed free throws

Orlando entered with the sixth-worst free throw percentage (73.1%) and not much changed in Mexico City.

The Magic shot 25 of 35 from the charity stripe (71.4%) against the Hawks.

Ten missed free throws. A 1-point loss.

Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on X, also known as Twitter, at @therealBeede.