Tommy Khuse Records Game-High 25 Points off Magic’s Bench, but Orlando Loses to New York, 89-102

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA- After racking up consecutive summer league victories against Houston and Sacramento, the Orlando Magic (2-2 SL) seemed well on their way to contend for the NBA 2K 23 Summer League Title behind the fantastic play of 2022 No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero. As it turns out, however, that was all for not, as Orlando lost their final two summer league games after benching Banchero, including an 89-102 loss to Sophomore Standout Quentin Grimes and the New York Knicks (3-1 SL).

For New York, Grimes proved to be the key difference in the Knicks’ 13-point win over the Magic, as Grimes notched 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists while shooting 7-19 (36.8%) from the field in 29 minutes. Over New York’s four summer league games, Grimes was simply the Knicks’ best player, as Grimes averaged 23.5 PPG (fifth in SL), 4.5 RPG, and 4.3 APG while posting 43.7/34.1/68.0 shooting splits.

Grimes wasn’t the only Knick who performed well in New York’s SL finale, as Miles McBride scored a team-high 23 points in addition to five rebounds, five assists, and three steals while shooting 9-13 (69.2%) from the field. In addition to Grimes and McBride, New York had four other players record double-digit points, which was Feron Hunt (13 points, four rebounds), Trevor Keels (ten points, four rebounds, four assists), and Jean Montero (ten points).

As previously mentioned, Khuse was Orlando’s star player on Thursday night, totaling a game-high 25 points, four assists, and five steals, while shooting 11-15 (73.3%) from the field and 3-5 (60.0%) from three-point range in 27 minutes. Before Thursday’s game, Khuse was already making a name for himself in the Summer League, as Khuse recorded 14 points, two rebounds, and four assists against Oklahoma City. It’s worth noting that Orlando actually outscored Oklahoma City by 14 points when Khuse was on the court.

“He’s got a knack,” Orlando Magic’s Summer League Coach Jesse Mermuys said after Thursday’s 89-102 loss to New York. “He’s just out there and he’s making plays – both sides of the ball. He’s super tough. He gets his nose in there. He’s a crafty finisher around the rim. He’s made shots. He’s finished over bigs. He’s played really well for us.”

Elsewhere, Orlando’s Justin James had another great performance on Thursday, notching 16 points and five rebounds while shooting 5-12 (41.7%) from the field and 2-5 (40.0%) from three-point range. Outside of Khuse and James, three other players recorded double-digit points for Orlando, including Kwan Cheatham Jr (ten points, two rebounds), Zavier Simpson (ten points, six rebounds, nine assists), and Jared Wilson-Frame (ten points, three rebounds, two assists).

Sitting at 2-2 in SL play and 14th in the SL Standings, Orlando is ineligible to play in the NBA 2K 23 Summer League Championship game. In spite of this, Orlando will play Detroit (2-2 SL, 17th in SL Standings) on Saturday at 4 P.M. ET as the final Summer League game for the Magic and the Pistons. Meanwhile, New York finished with a 3-1 record in SL play, resulting in the Knicks being 1st in the SL Standings. As of now, New York’s opponent has been undetermined with seven summer league games set to tip off on Friday.