Anthony Black‘s late-game dunk on Thursday in Berlin was the kind of play that cut through everything else happening on the floor, including the commentary booth.
Former WNBA star and current Prime Video NBA analyst Candace Parker stood up from her seat to react in real time as the Orlando Magic guard exploded to the rim in transition and finished over four Memphis Grizzlies defenders.
The dunk broke a 107-107 tie late in the fourth quarter and shifted the momentum for good. From that point on, the Magic never trailed again, closing out a 118-111 win over Memphis in the first of their two NBA Global Games at a sold-out Uber Arena.
Being aggressive at the right time
The sequence quickly went viral, not just for the finish itself, but for Parker’s visible reaction as she praised the aggression and confidence behind the play. “I didn’t even know it was on four people,” Black said afterward. “I just saw the rim, saw the help defender. My teammates told me about it back in the huddle. Just being aggressive.”
That poise under pressure has been a defining trait for Orlando this season. Even after falling behind by as many as 20 points early, the Magic remained composed and methodically worked their way back into the game. It followed a familiar script for a team that has shown an ability to close tight games and rally from deficits, whether on the road or on a neutral stage like Berlin.
The night also carried added significance with the return of hometown favorite Franz Wagner. Playing his first game in Berlin since becoming an NBA player, Wagner received a standing ovation during introductions and delivered 18 points in 27 minutes after missing 16 games with a high left ankle sprain. Eight of those points came in the final minutes, and he sealed the win at the free-throw line while MVP chants echoed through the arena.
Banchero leads the way for Orlando
Paolo Banchero anchored Orlando‘s offense with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while the Magic controlled the glass with a 54-37 rebounding advantage, including 19 offensive boards that led to extra possessions. The Grizzlies were led by Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 30 points, with Santi Aldama and Cedric Coward also contributing, but Memphis could not match Orlando‘s execution down the stretch.
In a game filled with momentum swings, Black‘s dunk stood out as the defining moment. It embodied the confidence and decisiveness Orlando has developed this season, and it was strong enough to pull one of the game’s most respected analysts out of her chair. For the Magic, it was another example of a young team learning how to seize control when it matters most.
Read the full article here
