Magic's Cole Anthony: Keeps thriving in bench role
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Anthony recorded 20 points (8-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one block across 31 minutes during Saturday's 129-101 loss to the Nets.
Anthony has struggled to secure a starting role this season, but there's no reason to move him from his bench role, as he has settled himself as one of the best second-unit scoring weapons in the NBA. Anthony has reached the 20-point mark on a semi-regular basis, hitting that threshold five times already, and he's averaging a robust 17.2 points per game off the bench over his last 10 contests. Eventually, the return of Markelle Fultz (knee) could cut into Anthony's workload, but it remains unclear when Fultz will be ready.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Drops 25 points off bench
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Anthony ended Wednesday's 139-120 win over the Wizards with 25 points (9-16 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six rebounds, five assists and two blocks across 26 minutes.
Anthony has consistently scored in double figures early in the season, but he's reached another level in recent matchups, scoring 20-plus points in three of his last four appearances. He's also been productive in secondary categories during that time and has averaged 22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 29.0 minutes per game. He's shot 50 percent from the floor during his recent hot stretch, and it wouldn't be surprising to see his scoring results decrease once his shooting percentage regresses to the mean.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Erupts for 30 points
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Anthony produced 30 points (9-16 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 11-12 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists, one block and two steals in 32 minutes during Sunday's 130-117 victory over the Hornets.
Anthony set a new season high for points scored, and this was the fifth time in his career he reached at least 30 points. Anthony Black has been starting for Orlando in Markelle Fultz's (knee) place, but Anthony has been far more productive and gets the bulk of the point guard minutes. Over his last six games, Anthony has averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.3 three-pointers per game.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Supplies 20 points off bench in win
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Anthony produced 20 points (6-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 7-8 FT) and five rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 124-119 win over the Nuggets.
The 20 points tied his season high, set back in Orlando's opener, while Anthony grabbed at least five boards for the sixth straight game. The fourth-year guard is averaging 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 threes over that stretch as he continues to take advantage of the absence of Markelle Fultz (knee) from the lineup.
Anthony posted 11 points (3-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 37 minutes during Friday's 103-97 victory over Chicago.
On the surface, Anthony's stat line was decent since he ended just two boards and three assists away from recording a triple-double as the Magic topped the Bulls. However, Anthony had another rough shooting performance, something that has been a trend for him of late. He's hitting just 27.9 percent of his shots from the field across his last five appearances.
Anthony produced 16 points (6-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one steal in 22 minutes during Wednesday's 96-94 win over the Bulls.
Anthony tallied 16 points in the victory Wednesday, an improved performance compared to last week. Despite some inconsistency, Anthony has scored in double digits in all but two games thus far, providing the Magic with a reliable scoring threat off the bench. His overall upside is limited, but even so, he certainly isn't out of place on a 12-team fantasy roster.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Struggles from floor in loss
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Anthony chipped in 10 points (2-10 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds and two assists across 28 minutes during Tuesday's 124-104 loss to the Nets.
Anthony shot the ball poorly once again Tuesday, the third straight game he has shot no better than 20 percent. Despite an ongoing knee concern for Markelle Fultz, Anthony has been unable to make the most of his opportunity. With that said, he should turn it around at some point and make for a worthwhile streaming target when his shot starts to fall.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Pours in 19 points
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Anthony provided 19 points (7-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-5 FT), two rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal in 30 minutes during Monday's 117-102 loss to the Mavericks.
Anthony received a starter's workload despite coming off the bench as usual Monday. Although his minutes have fluctuated throughout Orlando's first seven games, Anthony has hit double-digit scoring in every contest.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Shines off bench in win
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Anthony notched 18 points (5-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 31 minutes during Thursday's 115-113 victory over the Jazz.
Markelle Fultz was a late scratch due to left knee swelling, so Gary Harris joined the first unit. However, Harris suffered a groin injury in the first half and didn't return, forcing Joe Ingles to start the second half. While Ingles started, Anthony and Anthony Black were the ones who stepped up their production for the shorthanded Magic. If Fultz and Harris remain sidelined, Anthony may get a look with the first unit moving forward. Even before the injuries, Anthony was impressing off the bench. Across five appearances, he's averaging 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 24.4 minutes per game.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Impressive night with second unit
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Anthony closed with 18 points (6-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-6 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one block over 28 minutes during Friday's 102-97 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Anthony now has two strong games under his belt, but the Magic seem intent on keeping the keys in Markelle Fultz's hands. Although accuracy has been a problem during his career, Anthony's numbers in the latter part of last season were trending up, and he's started off the year with a 51.9 percent conversion rate. Fultz and Jalen Suggs will continue to hinder Anthony's fantasy relevancy, but he's only an injury away from a huge usage boost.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Shines off bench Wednesday
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Anthony logged 20 points (8-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes during Wednesday's 116-86 victory over the Rockets.
Anthony and the Magic agreed to a three-year, $39 million extension just before the start of the regular season, and he celebrated that by leading Orlando in scoring in the season opener despite coming off the bench. Anthony, who ended just two boards shy of a double-double, should be one of the Magic's main bench options going forward.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Agrees to three-year extension
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Anthony and the Magic agreed to a three-year, $39 million extension Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Monday was the deadline to get a deal done, and there had been several reports that the Magic were heading this direction. Anthony is expected to run the second unit for Orlando this season, a role that will likely see him supply fantasy managers with a healthy dose of points, three-pointers and assists. During the 2022-23 season, Anthony compiled averages of 13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 three-pointers.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Scores 13 points off bench
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Anthony produced 13 points (5-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four assists and three rebounds in 15 minutes during Tuesday's 122-105 preseason win over New Orleans.
Anthony led Orlando's bench in scoring during the preseason opener, but he also took the most shot attempts. The additions of Anthony Black, Joe Ingles and Jett Howard could eat away at Cole's playing time in 2023-24, but for now, it appears he's slated to be the primary backup to Markelle Fultz again.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Back to bench Sunday
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Anthony is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Heat, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Anthony recorded 14 points in Friday's loss to the Nets, but he will move back to the bench Sunday with Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs playing in the backcourt. Anthony is ending the season on a strong note and has scored in double figures in each of his last 13 outings, averaging 16.1 points per game in that span.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Scores 14 points with 16 shots
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Anthony finished with 14 points (6-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt), nine rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes during Friday's 101-84 loss to the Nets.
Anthony started for the first time since late October but delivered a solid stat line, ending just one rebound shy of a double-double and putting up solid passing numbers. The shooting woes can be concerning, but Anthony tends to produce even when he's having off nights in terms of efficiency. He's now scored in double digits in 13 games in a row, averaging 16.1 points per game in that stretch.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Starting Friday
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Anthony is starting Friday against the Nets.
The Magic are shorthanded Friday, so Anthony will draw his first start since late October. He didn't play Tuesday against Cleveland but has averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 28.6 minutes per game over his last 12 appearances.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Scores 16 off bench
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Anthony registered 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks across 28 minutes during Friday's 116-109 win over the Wizards.
Anthony continues to be a reliable sixth man for the Magic, scoring in double digits in 10 straight games. In that stretch, Anthony has averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.7 three-pointers while shooting 49 percent from the field. Anthony and the Magic will take on the Pistons on April 2 for their next outing.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Scores team-high 21 points
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Anthony logged 21 points (8-13 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes during Sunday's 119-106 win over the Nets.
Anthony was efficient from the field en route to a team-high 21 points, marking his third 20-plus-point game in March (13 appearances). During that stretch, the third-year guard has averaged 16.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 28.7 minutes.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Pops for 18 points in win
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Anthony chipped in 18 points (7-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one steal over 29 minutes during Saturday's 113-108 victory over the Clippers.
Anthony scored in double digits for the fourth straight game, continuing a solid week of production. With Jalen Suggs (concussion) sidelined, Anthony is going to soak up the bulk of the backup minutes behind Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris. While his efficiency can sometimes be an issue, Anthony remains a solid addition to any 12-team roster thanks to volume alone.
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Magic's Cole Anthony: Falls flat in loss
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Anthony produced six points (2-8 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 0-1 FT), one rebound and three steals in 22 minutes during Thursday's 131-124 loss to the Jazz.
Gary Harris returned from a two-game absence, forcing Anthony to see his fewest minutes since Feb. 25. Anthony was still heavily involved in the rotation, but his production was disappointing after he dropped 23 points in Orlando's previous game. With the Magic's backcourt at full strength again, it may be hard for Anthony to garner enough usage to remain relevant in standard leagues.
