The Highest Points Scored Against the Orlando Magic in NBA History

The Orlando Magic joined the NBA in 1989 as an expansion franchise. Since joining the league,  the Magic have witnessed some of the most memorable individual performances by some of the greatest players in NBA history. Here are the five highest-scoring games against the Magic, including a pair of eye-popping triple-doubles. 

1. Michael Jordan - 64 Points 

On January 16, 1993, Michael Jordan put on a show at the Chicago Stadium that ended in heartbreak for the Bulls. While the Magic had a superstar rookie in Shaquille O'Neal, it was Jordan who owned the night, shooting 27-of-49 from the field, with 1-of-5 from three, and 9-of-11 from the line. He grabbed 6 rebounds, dished 1 assist, and added 5 steals in 47 minutes. The only thing missing was the victory. Chicago led 108-105 with 3.9 seconds remaining in regulation, but Nick Anderson hit a wide-open three-pointer to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Magic outscored the Bulls 16-12 in the extra period, upsetting Chicago 128-124. 

2. Kyrie Irving - 60 Points 

Kyrie Irving torched the Magic while setting a Nets franchise record 60 points on March 15, 2022, leading Brooklyn to a 150-108 blowout in Orlando. Irving shot 20-of-31 from the field, 8-of-12 from three, and 12-of-13 from the line in just 35 minutes. He scored 41 points in the first half, the most in any first half since Kobe Bryant's 42 against Washington in 2003. Irving left the game with 8:33 remaining after hitting a long three-pointer, breaking Deron Williams's Nets record of 57 points. 

2. James Harden - 60 Points 

James Harden became the first player in NBA history to record a 60-point triple-double on January 30, 2018, carrying the short-handed Rockets to a 114-107 victory over a woeful Magic team. Working with a depleted lineup of his own due to injuries, Harden played 46 minutes and shot 19-for-30 from the field, 5-for-14 from three, and 17-for-18 from the line. “The Beard” added 10 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block, breaking Calvin Murphy's Rockets franchise record of 57 points set in 1978. The game was tied at 107 with under four minutes to play before Harden took over, scoring the final six Rockets points to seal the victory. Harden’s historic night was just a small part of his MVP-winning season. 

2. Allen Iverson - 60 Points 

Allen Iverson put together a career-best scoring performance on February 12, 2005, dropping 60 points on 17-of-36 shooting and an impressive 24-of-27 from the free throw line in the 76ers' 112-99 victory over the Magic. Going head-to-head with Magic point guard Steve Francis, Iverson started his career night with 17 first-quarter points and capped it off with a 20-point fourth quarter. In 42 minutes, Iverson also added 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block while committing just 3 turnovers. The 60-point explosion came as part of a stretch where he scored 30+ points in four straight games as Iverson led the Sixers to a 112-99 victory over their Eastern Conference foe. 

5. Russell Westbrook - 57 Points 

Russell Westbrook put together one of the most impressive triple-doubles in NBA history on March 29, 2017, dropping 57 points with 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the Thunder's 114-106 overtime victory in Orlando. Westbrook shot 21-of-40 from the field, 6-of-15 from three, and 9-of-11 from the line in 42 minutes. Oklahoma City trailed by 21 points in the third quarter, but Westbrook scored 36 of his points after halftime, including 19 in the fourth quarter. With the Thunder down 102-99 and just 7.1 seconds remaining in regulation, Westbrook pulled up from 31 feet and hit an amazing three-pointer to force overtime. In the extra period, Westbrook scored or assisted on all 12 Thunder points, completing the franchise's largest comeback since moving to Oklahoma City.