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The Orlando Magic are off to a promising start on the young NBA season, but on this day a quarter of a century ago, a promising young center and future Hall of Famer in Shaquille O'Neal had a day to remember.
The Magic were just 4-4 as they made their way to the Meadowlands to take on the New Jersey Nets on Nov. 20, 1993. O'Neal would have a performance for the ages and the Magic needed every bit of it in a narrow 87-85 victory.
O'Neal would finish the evening with 24 points, 28 rebounds and 15 blocks. The 15 blocks would mark the only time in O'Neal's illustrious career that he reached double-digits in blocks.
The Magic trailed 45-39 at the break and by a point after three quarters, but fought back to take the lead late. A key block late by O'Neal and a missed 3-point by New Jersey's P.J. Brown as time ticked away helped preserve the win for Orlando.
O'Neal finished the night 12-for-19 from the field and missed his only attempt from the free throw line. Nick Anderson scored 25 points to lead Orlando in the victory. Armen Gilliam finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Nets in a losing effort.
The win for Orlando would put the Magic above .500 -- for which they would remain for the rest of the season en route to their first playoff appearance. It would be 13 years later before O'Neal recorded another triple-double.
The 28 rebounds and 15 rebounds for the then second-year center would be feats he would never duplicate over his 19 seasons in the NBA. They came on this day 25 years ago.
Mike Ferguson is the founder of Magic Memories. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.
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