As the Magic find themselves at the bottom of a NBA playoff race with 11 games remaining in the regular season, OrlandoThe G League Osceola the affiliate is also in the midst of its own playoff hunt.
Led by first year coach Dylan MurphyOsceola (21-9) sits atop the East in the G League and recently clinched a playoff spot after winning 8 of its last 10 games.
“Our guys know how special this season has been, but also how special it can be,” Murphy recently told the Sentinel. “We’ve been playing really well lately. We kind of see the bigger picture; Catch a playoff spot, hoping to keep that No. 1 seed, then aim for a championship.
“It’s really a credit to them the way they played – playing together, defending, doing all the right things. We hope this can pay off for us in the long run.
While Orlando is known for its strong defense, Osceola is powered by its high-scoring offense. The group averages 119.2 points, which ranks second in the G League.
Three players – two-time NBA dunk contest champion Mac McClung (25.0 points), two-way guard Trevelin Queen (22.2) and forward DJ Wilson (21.0) – averaged 21 points or more while three more – Magic rookie Jett Howard (18.7), two-way guard Kevon Harris (16.0) and wing Daeqwon Plowden (10.7) – averaged double figures.
It’s McClung (7.0 assists), who leads the offense, according to Murphy.
“Mac is a great basketball player. End of sentence,” the Osceola coach said. “The dunk, obviously, is one of his special talents, but he’s our engine offensively. He gets guys involved and can go for it.
McClung, Queen and center Chris Walker competed in the G League championships.
Championship aspirations are not something they hide. The team talks about it openly.
“We’re not afraid to set goals and try to achieve them,” Murphy said. “It’s important for us to continue to pursue the team’s goals, and that’s a credit to our guys. They want to win every night.
And that’s what’s impressive about Osceola.
In a league where the majority of players aim to play in the NBA, the group has found a way to succeed as one unit despite their individual goals.
“What we try to preach to our guys is that individual success and team success go hand in hand,” Murphy said. “It’s a credit to our guys who are buying into each other, buying into the process and just understanding that, obviously, [in the] In the G League, everyone has higher individual goals, but those elements – individual and team success – don’t have to conflict with each other.
“In fact, when you work for the good of the group, you also look good as an individual.”
Wilson recently signed a 10-day NBA contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Queen and Harris, along with Howard as an assigned player, frequently travel back and forth between Orlando and Osceola.
Murphy hopes McClung will have a similar opportunity in the future.
“For me personally, nothing would make me happier than the NBA to see this, to give it a chance,” Murphy said. “He’s done more than enough to deserve this.”
“The great thing about Mac is he’s determined to win a championship.”
As Osceola continues to advance toward the playoffs in hopes of finishing on top, the team is taking the season one game at a time.
“The big goals allow us to have surgical focus for every game,” Murphy said. “Obviously we want to win every night and we want to get the No. 1 seed, but it’s critical to understand that we’re playing our best basketball right now, so when we reach the playoffs, we’ll already be on our way .”
Anthony helps organizations with donations
Magic guard Cole Anthony surprised two organizations each with a $10,000 check Monday at a philanthropic event that supported his foundation, 50 Ways.
Anthony, who was named a 2024 DeVos Community Enrichment Award winner for his work off the field and in the Central Florida community, received $20,000 from the DeVos Family Foundations to donate to the charities of his choice.
He selected Vibrant Families and CrossTown 119 and surprised them at a bowling alley fundraiser Monday night by sharing money donated to him by the DeVos Family Foundations.
Jason Beede can be contacted at [email protected]
