The Osceola Magic are headed back to the G League Finals for the first time since Orlando‘s affiliate won the championship four years ago.
Behind a franchise-playoff record 42 points from Magic two-way guard Mac McClung, Osceola defeated recently named G League MVP JD Davison and the Maine Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals at Osceola Heritage Park on Sunday night.
And Osceola will continue to have homecourt advantage in the Finals against Stockton.
Osceola will host Stockton in Game 1 and Game 3, if necessary, at Osceola Heritage Park. Tipoff for Tuesday’s Game 1 will be at 8 p.m. on ESPNU.
Game 2 is set for Friday at Stockton at 10 p.m. on ESPNews. If Game 3 is needed, it’ll take place back in Kissimmee on Monday, April 14, at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
Osceola’s postseason run has been followed closely by Orlando‘s locker room.
Not only are McClung and Ethan Thompson on two-way contracts that let them go back and forth between the squads, but a majority of Osceola’s roster went through Orlando training camp in October.
Osceola coach Dylan Murphy also previously served as an assistant for Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley and has served as Orlando’s summer-league coach the past two years.
“It’s awesome to see just knowing the work that those guys put in,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said after Monday practice. “Mac [McClung], Ethan [Thompson], some of those other guys and then obviously coach Dylan Murphy … Just seeing their work pay off and them making it to the Finals is a big deal.”
Added Magic second-year pro Anthony Black: “It’s special. Everybody knows how much talent is on that team. We’re super happy for them. Everybody’s getting to it. Mac, Ethan, Javonte [Smart], everybody’s getting buckets. It’s good to see.”
Although the club has homecourt advantage in the best-of-three series, Stockton presents plenty of challenges for Osceola, including four-year pro Mason Jones who posted 38 points in the Western Conference Finals against the Austin Spurs.
Osceola and Stockton met twice earlier this season at Osceola Heritage Park, and the Magic won both games by an average of 19 points.
But now a G League championship is on ...
