Quick Read
- Anthony Black scored a career-high 31 points in Orlando Magic’s 144–103 NBA Cup win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
- He shot 12-for-17 from the field, 4-for-6 from three, and posted a team-high +31 plus-minus.
- Black attributed his performance to confidence, aggression, and support from teammates.
- Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley praised Black’s two-way impact and defensive intensity.
- Orlando improved to 3–0 in NBA Cup East Group B play, maintaining a +61 point differential.
Anthony Black’s Breakout Night: Setting the Tone for the Magic
When Orlando Magic fans look back on the 2025 NBA Cup, one night will likely stand out above the rest. Tuesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers was not just another win—it was an emphatic statement. Leading the charge was Anthony Black, the Magic’s third-year guard, who erupted for a career-high 31 points off the bench, fueling a 144–103 blowout that showcased both his growth and the team’s collective evolution.
Black wasted no time making his presence felt. Checking in early, he immediately sparked Orlando’s offense, piling up 27 points by halftime and helping the Magic surge to an 86–60 lead. It wasn’t just the scoring—it was the way he did it: 12-of-17 from the field, 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, and a team-high +31 in just 28 minutes of play. For a player who has steadily built his role in Orlando’s system, this was a night that felt like a coming-of-age.
Confidence and Aggression: The Mindset Behind the Numbers
After the game, Black pulled back the curtain on his approach. “I think just being aggressive, taking risks – I shot a couple of shots that I might get looked at sideways for but just being aggressive, taking risks, and trusting myself,” he told reporters. His decisiveness was palpable, and that infectious energy seemed to ripple through the entire roster.
There’s something magnetic about watching a player hit his stride, and Black described the feeling as fun and freeing. “When I just get locked into the game and just having fun, talking, that’s when I play my best. And I think everybody else the same could go for them, it kinda raises our level, raises our intensity, so I think tonight was just a good job of us being tough and intense out there.”
Black didn’t hesitate to credit his teammates, emphasizing how their belief in him helped fuel his rhythm: “It’s love, these dudes instill confidence in me every day – they see me put in the work and I see them so they’re my biggest fans and I’m their biggest fan. I appreciate just all that.”
Team Execution and Growth: Orlando’s Evolution
For the Magic, the win over the 76ers wasn’t just about one player’s hot hand—it was a testament to team growth. The 41-point margin of victory marked Orlando’s highest scoring total of the season and their largest win. Black pointed to improved ball movement and defensive pressure as the keys to their offensive explosion. “I think we’re just moving the ball a lot more. The ball’s popping, dudes are playing off closeouts, dudes are getting open shots. Our defense has stepped up also which is allowing us to get transition looks that sparks our offense, our defense and just the energy on our team when we get down for layups and dunks.”
The stats back up Black’s assessment. Orlando’s unselfish play led to a dominant second quarter, where they poured in 51 points. The defensive intensity translated into transition opportunities, and the team’s energy rarely waned.
Coach Mosley’s Perspective: Two-Way Impact and Future Promise
Head coach Jamahl Mosley was quick to highlight Black’s two-way aggression. “His aggression. But what I’m most proud of is his ability to do it on both ends. He guarded between he and Jalen guarding Maxey all night long, being disruptive, picking up full court, and then being able to do it on the other end. I think that’s what we’ve asked him to do and how we need him to be night in and night out, and he showed that tonight.”
Mosley also praised Black’s physicality, pace, and confidence attacking the basket. “There’s a level of aggression about him. There’s a confidence, he has that swagger. You saw the one down in transition where he attacks the lane, gets the dunk over the top. Just that ability to get downhill and attack the lane and the basket that way is so big for him and then stepping into his shot with confidence. And I’ll go back to it though, his ability to guard defensively and then be able to push the pace is something special for him and that’s what we need from him.”
Black’s season numbers reflect the leap: now averaging career highs with 12.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on efficient shooting. He remains unsatisfied, hungry for more. “I’m still trying to figure out – I feel like there’s more levels that I can tap into to see but it’s year three and the situation is what it is, but I think I can just impact the game on two sides. Yeah, I think I can do it.”
NBA Cup Stakes: Orlando’s Momentum and What’s Next
The win was crucial for Orlando’s NBA Cup aspirations, pushing their record to 11–8 overall and 3–0 in East Group B play with a commanding +61 point differential. Detroit, sitting at 2–0 in group play, trails behind with a +27 differential, setting up a pivotal showdown between the two teams on Friday.
For Black and the Magic, this stretch has become a proving ground. The team’s ability to execute on both ends, led by breakout performances like Black’s, is fueling belief that they can compete with the best.
As Orlando prepares for its final NBA Cup group matchup against Detroit and a return to the Kia Center to host the Bulls, the question looms: can Black continue to tap into these new levels and help propel the Magic deeper into the season?
Anthony Black’s career night wasn’t just a statistical anomaly—it was a snapshot of a young player evolving before our eyes and a team beginning to realize its potential. If Orlando continues to foster this energy, aggression, and unselfishness, their ceiling may be higher than many anticipated at season’s start. The future, for both Black and the Magic, suddenly looks a lot brighter.