Eyes down for some live basketball as we focus on the Orlando Magic Summer League 2023 squad and fixtures. We will also give you all the information you need on how the tournament works.
The Orlando Magic Summer League 2023 Fixtures
The Orlando Magic have 5 games to play in the NBA Summer League 2023 in Las Vegas.
Date Opponent Time (ET) Arena
July 8 vs. Detroit Pistons 5:30 p.m. Thomas & Mack
July 10 vs. Indiana Pacers 8:30 p.m. Thomas & Mack
July 12 vs. New York Knicks 8 p.m. Thomas & Mack
July 13 vs. Portland Trail Blazers 9 p.m. Thomas & Mack
The time, date, venue and opponent of the fifth game is yet to be decided, as we explain below.
THE NBA SUMMER LEAGUE 2023 – WHAT IS SUMMER LEAGUE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Summer League is an NBA competition held annually now in Las Vegas. All 30 NBA teams will participate and a total of 75 games will be played.
The annual tournament is a chance for teams to try out different line-ups and prospects away from the regular season but in a competitive situation. It is primarily an opportunity for rookies, second year and G-League affiliate players to develop their game. Roster’s often include older players who a team have invited onto their roster. This could literally be anyone but is usually someone who went undrafted or plays in a different league (i.e European).
Each team will play a total of five games. All team’s play four games between July 7th and 17th.
The top two teams from their first four games will play in the Championship Game on July 17th. Seeding for the Championship Game will be determined by winning percentage (I’ll come to the tiebreakers in a minute).
The 28 teams not playing in the Championship Game will play a fifth game on either July 16th or 17th. Consolation games are determined by various factors, including team rivalries, broadcast interest and other scheduling considerations.
THE TIEBREAKERS
Below is the NBA‘s explanation of the tiebreaker rules applied to decide the two teams progressing to the Championship Game.
IF TWO TEAMS ARE TIED:
In the case of a tie in preliminary round records involving only two teams, the following criteria (in order) will be utilized:
Head-to-head matchup: The team that won the game between the two teams in the preliminary round, if applicable, receives the higher seed.
Point differential: The team with the greater point differential receives the higher seed.
Random drawing: The higher seed shall be determined by a “coin flip.”
IF MORE THAN TWO TEAMS ARE TIED:
In the case of a tie in preliminary round records involving more than two teams, the following criteria (in order) will be utilized:
Point differential: The team with the greater point differential receives the higher seed.
Random drawing: The higher seed is determined by a “coin flip.”
The Orlando Magic Summer League 2023 Squad
The Headline Names
Anthony Black – Orlando’s latest guard, drafted by the team as the number 6 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Jett Howard – the Magic’s selection at 11 in the 2023 NBA Draft, selected as a floor spacing forward for his outstanding shooting ability.
Kevon Harris – a two-way player for the Magic last season. Harris appeared in 34 games for Orlando averaging 4.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game. Harris offers energy, along with a strong and determined defensive grit.
Caleb Houstan – now entering his second season with the Magic. The forward played in 51 games during his rookie season, averaging 3.8 points per game.
Four To Watch
Au’Diese Toney – this guard went undrafted in 2022. He spent the entirety of the 2022-23 season in the G-League playing for the Magic’s affiliate. His shooting from deep saw him hit 38%, whilst having a field goal percentage of almost 56%.
Kai Sotto – is a 7’3 centre from the Philippines. Sotto shows an ability to score from outside the paint. There is concern that he could be too slow to keep up with an higher calibre of opposition, especially guarding in space. Interior finishing is not a strength, preferring to finish with finesse.
D.J. Wilson – a five-year NBA veteran who plays at the power forward position. Being drafted 17th in the 2017 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, Wilson spent four seasons with the Bucks. Since then he has bounced around, ending up at the Lakeland Magic (now Osceola Magic). Across 146 NBA games he averages 4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Quinndary Weatherspoon – another NBA veteran. This 26 year old shooting guard was drafted 49th by the San Antonio Spurs in 2019. After two seasons he was traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he was on the roster of the 2022 NBA championship winning team.
