Noah Penda sounded the rebellion for the Magic

friday, Noah Penda left the G-League to return to the Magic. Two days later, against the Celtics, he set his NBA record for playing time with 23 minutes on the floor. Entering the first half, the Frenchman was called again by Jamal Mosley in the third quarter, while Orlando already had a 26-point deficit. And barely back in the game, the rookie opened his account with an assist from Franz Wagner.

The basket that drives it. Very active on both ends of the court, Noah Penda produced a high-level third quarter, finishing with 13 points and 4 rebounds. He even closes the period with a big dunk on an error by Josh Minott.

“He and I talk all the time about being ready when it’s our turn.”, explains Jace Richardson after the meeting. “And when we get into the game, we have to do a lot. We did that tonight. He went for the rebound, shot and defended well. It was an impressive game from him.”

Passing talent seen at the end of the match

Buoyed by Noah Penda’s third quarter, the Magic closed the gap a bit and trailed by “only” 21 points entering the final twelve minutes. And from the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Frenchman found Jase Richardson Three to bring Orlando back by 18 lengths.

A few actions later, the former player of Le Mans continues to amaze his teammates: he serves twice Jett Howardwho sanctions behind the arc. But against that, Boston continued to score at will and the Magic were unable to stop the Celtics’ offense, who eventually won 138-129.

The loss, however, should not mask a very solid performance from Noah Penda: 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, 5/6 shooting, including 2/2 from 3-point range. Off the bench, he wasn’t the only one who tried to revive Orlando, supported by Jace Richardson’s 18 points and Jett Howard’s 30 points, including 22 in the final quarter.

“These guys kept fighting and our bench was behind them.”underscores Jamahl Mosley. “These are players who were told to always be ready when their number was called. They responded, they took on their role and accepted everything that was asked of them. They put their hearts into it.”

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.