Arizona in the NBA Playoffs: Aaron Gordon sits as Magic upset top-seeded Bucks in series opener

Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

The Orlando Magic were missing Aaron Gordon in Tuesday’s playoff opener against top-seeded Milwaukee, but surprisingly they rolled Bucks anyway, routing them 122-110 in the bubble.

Gordon, Orlando’s fourth-leading scorer (14.4 PPG) and second-leading rebounder (7.7 RPG), sat with a strained left hamstring, the fifth straight game he’s missed. The eighth-seeded Magic are hoping he can return for Game 2 on Thursday.

Steve Clifford said the hope is that Aaron Gordon will be able to play in Game 2 on Thursday, adding that the Magic will need Gordon to have a chance to win the series.

— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) August 18, 2020

The Magic were also without Jonathan Isaac, Michael Carter-Williams, and Mo Bamba.

Orlando was led by a strong effort from former USC center Nikola Vucevic, who had 35 points and 14 rebounds. Former Washington standouts Terrence Ross and Markelle Fultz chipped in with 18 and 15 points, respectively.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists.

The Magic led by 10 at the end of the first quarter and never trailed from there.

What’s next?

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m. MST.

T.J. McConnell and the Indiana Pacers are currently battling Andre Iguodala, Solomon Hill and the Miami Heat in their series opener on TNT.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Stanley Johnson and Toronto Raptors will look to take a 2-0 lead on the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. MST on NBATV.

Remember: all NBA playoff games will take place in the bubble in Orlando.

What they’re saying about Aaron Gordon on social media

Bucks lost to the magic without Aaron Gordon and Fournier didn’t make a shot until the fourth quarter

— Marco Freshcobar® (@TheEazyEffect) August 18, 2020

Bro no Aaron Gordon, Jonathen Isaac, mo bamba, AND mcw..almost got 20 pieced..yea the bucks gotta get it together

— J Herbo (@Lomeli_24) August 18, 2020

Y’all “MVP” just lost to the Magic with no Aaron Gordon. Yikes.

— Tenzin Yeshi (@tenzinpaichang) August 18, 2020

.@OrlandoMagic (+1040) upset Bucks.

This is the 5th largest playoff upset since 2005.

1. Celtics +1681 at CLE (5/21/17)
2. Clippers +1126 at GS (4/24/19)
3. Mavs +1102 at OKC (4/18/16)
4. Clippers +1041 at GS (4/15/19)

Data per @Bet_Labs.

— John Ewing (@johnewing) August 18, 2020

the magic are 100% better without Aaron Gordon & that’s not a knock on him, moreso a reality of how we’ve tried to pigeon hole him into a position he isn’t meant for

— Louis (@HoopsTalk13) August 18, 2020

Woooooooowwwww. Beating the Bucks by double digits without Aaron Gordon is impressive.

Also makes you wonder about the element of home court advantage. Honestly may not have happened in Milwaukee.

— Eric Robinson (@_Eric_Robinson) August 18, 2020

Orlando should just let Aaron Gordon know he won’t be there next season already

— King_Mamba (@LakeShowSeason) August 18, 2020

I also can't tell if it's good or bad the Magic are playing this well without Aaron Gordon.

It's great because they're winning, but what does it say about their team that they're better(?) without their best player.

Like the Celtics w/o Kyrie in 2018

— Tyler Greenawalt (@TyGreen14) August 18, 2020

I recently wrote about how the Magic should rebuild, and strangely enough, they just beat the first-seeded Bucks by 12. In my defense, the piece was centered around an Aaron Gordon trade—who wasn’t playing today, which I think aids my point in that he should be moved. https://t.co/K0vP9F9pUP

— Jorie Mickens (@JorieMickens) August 18, 2020

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