DETROIT – When the Orlando Magic strategically moved their G League affiliate from Erie, Pa., to nearby Lakeland this past summer, they envisioned a week like this one unfolding and ultimately greatly benefiting the NBA parent club.
With the Magic beset by a rash of injuries and down five of their top players, they turned to the Lakeland Magic of the G League to provide reinforcements – not only for Wednesday night’s home game against the Los Angeles Clippers, but also for the practices as players prepped for the game. With the Magic still shorthanded later in the week, those players practiced with the team again on Thursday and fortified the bench on Friday against Portland.