The Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic faced off in the 2023 NBA Mexico City Game on Thursday night, in front of a passionate crowd at the Mexico City Arena. The game was a high-scoring affair, with both teams showcasing their offensive firepower and young talent. The Hawks prevailed in a nail-biter, 120-119, thanks to a clutch performance by Trae Young, who scored 41 points and hit the game-winning free throw with 0.9 seconds left.
Young Shines in Mexico
Trae Young, the Hawks’ star point guard, put on a show for the fans in Mexico City, scoring 41 points on 12-of-27 shooting, including six 3-pointers. He also dished out 10 assists, grabbed four rebounds, and stole the ball twice. Young was unstoppable in the fourth quarter, scoring 18 points and making several big plays down the stretch. He drew a foul on Paolo Banchero, the Magic’s rookie sensation, and calmly sank the go-ahead free throw with less than a second remaining. Young celebrated with the Mexican flag after the game, earning the admiration of the crowd and his teammates.
Magic Put Up a Fight
The Orlando Magic, who entered the game with a surprising 4-3 record, did not back down from the challenge of facing the Hawks, who reached the conference finals last season. The Magic had a balanced attack, with six players scoring in double figures. Jalen Suggs, the fifth overall pick in the 2022 draft, led the team with 21 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Banchero, the reigning Rookie of the Year, had 17 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, but also committed seven turnovers. Franz Wagner, another rookie, added 16 points and five rebounds. The Magic shot 46.7% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc, but could not stop Young and the Hawks in the final minutes.
Hawks Show Depth and Resilience
The Hawks, who improved to 5-3 with the win, showed why they are one of the most talented and deep teams in the NBA. Besides Young, they had four other players scoring in double digits, including Jalen Johnson, who had 19 points and nine rebounds, and Bogdan Bogdanovic, who had 15 points and four assists. The Hawks also overcame a 10-point deficit in the third quarter, and a six-point deficit with less than three minutes left in the game. They outscored the Magic 34-28 in the final period, and made 13 of their 14 free throws. The Hawks also had a slight edge in rebounding (44-42) and assists (25-23).
A Historic Night for the NBA and Mexico
The game was the 32nd NBA game played in Mexico City, the most for any city outside the United States and Canada. It was also the first regular-season game played in Mexico since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The game was part of the NBA’s efforts to grow the game globally, and to celebrate the culture and diversity of Mexico. The game featured several festivities, such as a pregame performance by Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández, a halftime show by Mexican rapper Gera MX, and a postgame ceremony honoring the Mexican national basketball team. The game also drew several celebrities and dignitaries, such as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and former NBA players Manu Ginóbili and Horacio Llamas.
