Anthony Black’s 38-Point Outburst Lifts Magic; Alvarado and Williams Ejected in New Orleans; Uncertainty Grows Around Trentyn Flowers’ College Interest
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Orlando, FL — Third-year guard Anthony Black poured in a career-best 38 points on Saturday, propelling the Orlando Magic to a comeback victory over the Denver Nuggets on the second night of a back-to-back.
The 21-year-old hit 14 of 24 shots and went 7-for-11 from beyond the arc while adding six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 30 minutes. Orlando trailed by 17 in the third quarter but turned the game around with aggressive defense and fast-break opportunities, finishing plus-six with Black on the floor.
“He laid the foundation for a great season with the way he approached the summer. He’s only going to get better,” teammate Desmond Bane said. Head coach Jamahl Mosley credited Black’s confidence and downhill mindset for the surge that has thrust him into early Most Improved Player discussions.
Alvarado, Williams Tossed After Scuffle
New Orleans, LA — Emotions boiled over late in the third quarter of the Pelicans’ matchup with the Phoenix Suns when Jose Alvarado and Mark Williams exchanged shoves and punches while Williams was setting a screen. Both guards landed right-hand blows before officials and teammates intervened, leading to immediate ejections.
Suns interim coach Jordan Ott said he had not reviewed footage of the altercation, calling it “something that always tends to happen” on the second night of a back-to-back. Based on past league discipline for on-court fights, fines or suspensions are expected.
Mixed Signals on Trentyn Flowers
Chicago, IL — Confusion surrounds possible NCAA interest in Bulls two-way wing Trentyn Flowers. On3’s Joe Tipton reported that programs such as Kentucky, Michigan, Kansas and Florida were monitoring the former top-25 recruit, but CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander later noted that three of the 12 schools mentioned denied any contact.
“Not even sure how we got on that list,” one school representative told Norlander. Flowers bypassed Louisville to play professionally in Australia with the Adelaide 36ers, went undrafted in 2024 and is now with Chicago on a two-way deal. While NCAA rules bar players with NBA experience from returning, recent cases—most notably Knicks draftee James Nnaji enrolling at Baylor—have encouraged schools to examine loopholes.
For the moment, Flowers remains under contract with the Bulls, illustrating the increasingly blurred line between college and professional basketball.
Source: Hoops Wire
