25-Year Orlandoversary: Royal Sinks Mavs at Buzzer

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The duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Anfernee Hardaway will always be the remembered duo when the solid Orlando Magic teams of the mid-1990s come to mind. There were other role players that were well-known like Horace Grant, 3-point specialist Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson, the franchise's first-ever draft pick.

With that said, sometimes names like Jeff Turner, Anthony Bowie and Donald Royal slip through the cracks of one's memory. On this day 25 years ago, it was Royal who played the hero as the Magic topped the Dallas Mavericks, 100-98.

Orlando was playing on the second night of a back-to-back at home against the Mavericks on April 16, 1994. The Mavericks were infamous for being the league's worst team, but on that night at the Orlando Arena, they gave the Magic all they wanted.

Orlando led 50-47 at halftime and 79-73 after three quarters. Dallas however, would not go away. With time winding down, the contest was tied at 98.

Rather than put the ball in the hands of Hardaway or O'Neal, it was Royal who ended up with the ball with the clock ticking down. Closely guarded, Royal hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to give Orlando the victory.

Royal finished the night with nine points in the victory. O'Neal paced the Magic with 34 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks while uncharacteristically knocking down all 12 free throw attempts. Scott was 4-for-6 from deep, adding 23 points. Anderson scored 14 in the victory.

Jamal Mashburn (34) and Jim Jackson (26) scored 60 of Dallas' 98 points. Tony Campbell added 17 points while Fat Lever finished with 10 points and a game-high five steals in the loss.

The victory isn't one that will live in Orlando lore, but such a moment for Royal deserves recognition a quarter century later. His game-winner to sink the Mavericks came on this day 25 years ago.  

Mike Ferguson is the founder of Magic Memories. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.