The Texas Legends (2-0) added another wire-to-wire win to sweep the Lakeland Magic (0-2) in the 2021-22 opening weekend. With a career night, Justin Jackson led the Legends to a 120-103 victory over the defending champions.
Feron Hunt grabbed the game’s first basket for the visitors. Lakeland responded to even it out, but that would be their only basket for nearly six minutes as Texas streaked through an 18-0 run. Jackson set the tone in the first, knocking down 4-of-5 outside and finished the standout performance with 11 three-pointers, nearing a franchise record.
Carrying a 30-15 lead into the second, Texas continued the offensive attack and hit their largest lead of the night (+26) midway through the quarter. The Magic found their shot, knocking down 50% outside to close in on Texas’ efforts and go into halftime with a 16-point difference.
TJ Haws and BJ Johnson came out of the break firing and cut the gap to single digits, but Texas found their answer late for a 16-2 streak to the buzzer. Texas opened the fourth with a 94-71 lead that proved too great for the Magic’s final rally attempts.
Jackson led all scorers with 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. Carlik Jones followed up a high scoring night by leading the team in rebounds (10) and assists (7) while adding 9 points. JaQuori McLaughlin finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, and Yudai Baba came off the bench for 19 points, 6 rebounds, and a game-high 5 steals. Hunt rounded out the Legends’ double-digit scores with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.
BJ Johnson led the Magic with 26 points, 9 rebounds, while Admiral Schofield finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds.
Texas will host the Birmingham Squadron for their home opening weekend this Friday and Saturday. Both games will tip-off at 7:30pm CT. For tickets or information call 214-469-0822 or visit www.TexLegends.com.