Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs make NBA playoff history for the Magic

ORLANDO- It didn't take long for the Orlando Magic trio of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs to make their mark in the NBA playoff books in their first postseason appearance.

With their performance in the Magic's 103-96 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Kia Center on Friday, Banchero and Wagner became the youngest duo in the NBA playoffs to score at least 25 points in an elimination game. Jalen Suggs also scored 22 points, joining Banchero and Wagner as the third youngest trio to score over 20 points in a playoff game. The other trio were Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, and Durant and Westbrook also accomplished the feat with Serge Ibaka.

Banchero had 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Wagner had 26 points, five rebounds and two assists. Suggs scored 22 points and had six rebounds plus four assists.

“We have a special group,” Banchero said. “We’re very young, we’ve come together and we just want to head out for the city.” [and, for this team. We know how hard we work and we [are] just proud.”

Banchero, Suggs and Wagner also became the first trio of players age 22 or younger to average at least 15 points per game in a team's first six playoff games.

“We all care about each other,” Suggs said. “What makes it so special is [that] Not only do we all love the game, we also love each other [and] I love the work, but everyone else around us loves it too.”

The trio of Banchero, Wagner and Suggs combined for 18 of the Magic's 30 points in the fourth quarter. Banchero led the way with 10 points, including a three-pointer and a layup that gave Orlando the lead for good, 94-89, with 3:05 to play.

When the Magic acquired Suggs, Wagner and Banchero with their first-round picks, it was clear that they had to be the key cogs for the franchise to go from rebuilding to a playoff team. Now Orlando is just shy of winning its first playoff series since 2011 when it takes on the Cavs in Game 7 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Sunday at 1 p.m.

“We haven’t won one there yet [in Cleveland] Still,” Suggs said. “All odds are against us.” None of us would want it any other way.

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