Anthony Black made Orlando Magic history during Sunday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers, etching his name alongside franchise legend Tracy McGrady in the team’s record books. Now in his third NBA season with the Magic, Black is enjoying the best year of his young career.
He’s posting career-high numbers on offense and has steadily earned a larger role within the team. While he typically comes off the bench, Black has demonstrated that he can handle increased responsibility when given the opportunity.
Against Indiana, Black was inserted into the starting lineup and made an immediate impact. According to ClutchPoints, he played 36 minutes, pouring in 27 points while also contributing 10 assists, four blocks, three rebounds, and one steal. His efficiency was impressive: he went 8 of 16 from the field, 3 of 7 from three-point range, and 8 of 10 at the free-throw line.
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This performance puts Black in rare company for young Magic players
With this game, Black became just the fifth player in Magic history to score 25 or more points and dish out 10 or more assists at age 21 or younger. The other four players who achieved this are Tracy McGrady, Paolo Banchero, Victor Oladipo, and Cole Anthony. Like other athletes making NFL history with rare achievements, Black’s accomplishment shows how young stars continue to break records.
Black’s big night helped the Magic beat the Pacers 135-127. Orlando started slow, trailing 36-28 after the first quarter. But they came back strong in the second quarter, outscoring Indiana 41-22. The Pacers never recovered from that run.
The Magic won because they did better in three key areas. They made 26 free throws compared to Indiana’s 16. They got 13 steals and blocks combined while the Pacers only had six. Orlando also took better care of the ball, turning it over just seven times while Indiana gave it away 11 times.
Six Magic players scored 10 or more points in the win. Desmond Bane led everyone with 31 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block. Paolo Banchero added 28 points and 12 rebounds. Jase Richardson scored 12 points with four assists, and Tristan da Silva chipped in 10 points. The young roster’s success mirrors the attention WNBA stars are getting recently, showing how basketball talent shines across leagues.
The win pushed Orlando’s record to 20-16 this season. They’re currently sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, tied with the Miami Heat. The Magic play the Washington Wizards next on January 6 at 7 p.m. ET.
Published: Jan 5, 2026 05:45 pm