Markelle Fultz made a stunning statement during Sunday night's game against the Pistons, igniting the crowd at Kia Center with a powerful putback dunk to kick off the second quarter for the Magic.
Fultz, known for his explosive plays, was on fire, scoring 10 consecutive points spanning the first and second quarters. Despite coming off the bench for the third consecutive game, Fultz showed no signs of slowing down, shooting a perfect 6 for 6 from the field for 12 points in just 11 minutes of play in the first half, energizing the Magic's second unit.
The Orlando point guard finished the game with a season-high 16 points and 3 rebounds, contributing significantly to the Magic's 113-91 victory over the Pistons. Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 29 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 and Franz Wagner contributed 13 points. Together, they dominated the boards, outrebounding the Pistons 48-28.
The win marked the Magic's third consecutive victory with Fultz coming off the bench, improving their record to 6-6 in such instances. Coach Jamahl Mosley has been gradually increasing Fultz's minutes since his return from a three-game absence due to left knee injury maintenance. Fultz had previously missed 27 games earlier in the season due to knee tendinitis, the same knee on which he had surgery to repair a torn ACL in the 2020-21 season.
Looking ahead, Mosley will need to decide whether Fultz's current role off the bench is the best fit for the team as they strive for a top 6 seed in the Eastern Conference to avoid the NBA Play-In Tournament. For now, the strategy seems to be paying off, with the Magic concluding a three-game homestand without a loss.
The team now embarks on a three-game road trip starting in Charlotte, followed by a matchup against the Wizards, as they aim to maintain their winning streak and secure their spot in the playoffs.
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