Orlando honored Shaquille O’Neal by hanging up his jersey, then fell to Oklahoma City at home, Sabonis again recorded a triple-double

The Orlando Magic hung the number 32 jersey from the ceiling of the arena in tribute to Shaquille O’Neal, who started his NBA career with the team. Orlando, however, was no match for a strong Oklahoma City. Domantas Sabonis notched his 18th triple-double of the season against the Suns.

Orlando hoisted O’Neal’s jersey to the ceiling of the arena, then lost to Oklahoma

In the Orlando Magic vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (113:127), the home team hung the number 32 jersey, which was worn by Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal from 1992 to 1996, from the ceiling of the Kia Center after the game. He was the first player in franchise history to receive this honor.

The home team did not fare well against Oklahoma. They led the game only during the first quarter. And the visiting team took over the shooting initiative from the next passages of the game. They gradually increased their lead. Oklahoma for the 37th win of the season was led by the duo of Jalen Williams with 33 points. And traditional shooting star Shai-Gilgeous Alexander put 32 points in the Magic basket.

It was Orlando’s 35th defeat of the season. Paolo Banchero was the Magic’s top scorer with 23 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Banchero himself saw the positive in the fact that now virtually every game will be like a playoff fight for the Magic. And he enjoyed the atmosphere after the game with a ceremony honoring O’Neal.

Sabonis again with a triple-double and Sacramento lost

In the game Phoenix Suns vs Sacramento Kings (130:125), the clear king in this ”discipline” Domantas Sabonis scored his 18th triple-double of the season. This time he scored 35 points, had 18 rebounds and added 12 assists.

He became the 11th player in NBA history to record 50 such games in his career. However, once again, it did not lead to a winning game for the Sacramento Kings. Moreover, he became only the 8th player in NBA history to record at least 18 triple-doubles in a season.

Before him, only the following players have done it: Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Lebron James and Nikola Jokic. De’Aaron Fox was the top scorer for the home team with 40 points.

Phoenix was traditionally led by the duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, who put 53 points in Sacramento’s basket and guided the team to its 32nd win of the season. Bradley Beal was injured in the first quarter, but he has been playing well in the last few games and the team will now miss him again, as he has already missed 24 games this season.

Source: NBA