LAS VEGAS, NEVADA- With 5:26 remaining in the Fourth Quarter, the Orlando Magic (2-0 SL) seemed well on their way to their second straight Summer League victory, as they led the Sacramento Kings (0-1 SL) 82-64. As it turns out, the Magic would end up beating Sacramento 94-92, but not before nearly throwing the game away. After Orlando increased their lead to 18 points, Sacramento closed the fourth quarter on a 23-5 run, including two clutch three-point shots by Neemias Queta and 2022 No. 4 pick Keegan Murray within the final 5.1 seconds to force overtime at 87-87.
Shockingly, the two-minute overtime period had just as much excitement, if not more. With the game tied up at 89, Sacramento’s Keon Ellis banked in a three-pointer with 22 seconds left, giving the Kings a three-point lead. In spite of this, the Magic tied the game up at 92 after Devin Cannady hit all three free throws with 6.2 seconds left. After two game-winning shots were missed by Ellis and Cannady, Orlando and Sacramento were headed for a Second Overtime period, in a sudden-death format.
With each team needing just one basket to secure the victory in Sudden Death, play between Orlando and Sacramento became much more physical. This was evident within the first possession, as Banchero was called for a foul after defending Queta’s dunk attempt. If the call stood, Sacramento would shoot two free throws, and would therefore win the game. After further review, however, the call was overturned and Orlando was given possession. On the ensuing possession, Banchero shot a pass to Emanual Terry in the paint, who converted on the game-winning layup.
Similar to Thursday’s 91-77 win against Houston, Banchero played extremely well, as he recorded 23 points, six assists, four steals, and two blocks in 34 minutes, all team-highs. Despite Banchero’s impressive statline, his efficiency took a considerable hit, as he shot just 6-15 (40.0%) from the field and committed a team-high eight turnovers. Fortunately for Banchero, his teammates showed up when the Magic needed it most. In addition to his clutch free-throws at the end of the first overtime, Cannady posted ten points and three rebounds, while three-year Guard R.J. Hampton notched 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Finally, Terry provided a great presence in the paint, as he managed six points and nine total rebounds, including six defensive rebounds.
As for Sacramento, they still received plenty of solid contributions from their players despite the crushing loss. The Kings were paced by Queta, who led Sacramento with 23 points. Murray continued his solid play in the Summer League, as the former Iowa Hawkeye recorded 20 points and nine rebounds while shooting 5-11 (45.5%) from the field and 4-8 (50.0%) from downtown. Ellis, a 2022 Undrafted Free Agent signed by Sacramento, was the Kings’ best shooter on Saturday, as he shot 5-8 (62.5%) from the field and 5-6 (83.3%) from three-point range en route to 15 points. Jared Rhoden was the only other King to record double-digit points, as he finished with 10 points in 27 minutes.
After beating Sacramento on Saturday, Orlando has become the first team to win multiple games in the 2022 NBA Summer League, and will look to move to 3-0 when they face the 2022 No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren and Oklahoma City (1-1) on Monday at 9 P.M. E.T. The Kings will look to rebound and record their first win on Sunday when they face the 2022 No. 6 pick Bennedict Mathurin and Indiana (1-0) at 3 P.M. E.T.