Magic big man Moritz Wagner (21) appreciated Orlando sticking together in the midst of their altercation with the Timberwolves. (Abbie Parr, AP)
Before Friday’s 127-120 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, it was clear the Orlando Magic had the attention of other teams.
That especially remains the case after Friday — for wanted and unwanted reasons.
The biggest story coming out of the victory was the on-court scuffle between Mo Bamba and Austin Rivers in front of the Magic’s bench that led to the ejections of Bamba, Rivers, Jalen Suggs, Taurean Prince and Jaden McDaniels.
It was the second on-court altercation the Magic have been involved in this season after the one in Detroit on Dec. 28.
“It’s a fine line,” Magic big man Moe Wagner said. “You, obviously, want to have your teammate’s back. At the same time, you have to be a professional. That’s a challenge for a young team like us. This time around, we did a good job compared to [the] last time. It’s a weird dynamic. You don’t really want to be in those situations. You want to be professional. There’s something in me that appreciates the team sticking together like that.”
What that moment overshadowed was the Magic’s growth in composure.
They didn’t allow the moment to deter them, building on the 10-point lead they had when the ejections happened and holding on for the victory even after the Timberwolves’ comeback push.
The Magic held it together in moments they previously would’ve faltered.
“You got to keep playing,” coach Jamahl Mosley said of his message to the team after the altercation. “You have to win the game between the lines. It’s not about all the talking; it’s not about anything of that. You got to make sure you play the right way. Do the right things. Continue to share the basketball and continue to defend.”
They’re 16-13 in their last 29 games when guards Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz had their minutes restrictions lifted since returning Nov. 30.
Within that stretch, the Magic are 11-7 against teams with a record of .500 and above at the time of the matchup.
“People talk about us being young all the time,” Anthony said. “I don’t think that means anything. We’ve gotten to the point where people recognize us. We’re on people’s radars right now. The Orlando Magic, they’re young but they’re all right. We just stay the course, keep clawing our way through the league and try to get wins like this.”
The Magic (21-32) will end their four-game road trip against the Charlotte Hornets (15-39) Sunday.
The matchup will tip off at 1 p.m. because it’ll be broadcast live in Europe, the Middle East and Africa as part of “NBA Saturdays & NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K23.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Originally published at Tribune News Service