Former Suns forward Emanuel Terry delivers in Magic OT win over Kings in NBA Summer League

LAS VEGAS — Undrafted Emanuel Terry was the hero in a game featuring high lottery picks Paolo Banchero and Keegan Murray.

The former Suns forward scored the game-winning basket in Orlando’s 94-92 overtime victory Saturday over Sacramento at Thomas & Mack Center after delivering a block to force a second overtime that was played in sudden death.

“Emanuel, he was making plays all night,” said Banchero, the top overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Duke. “He was big today.”

Terry scored just six points, but the last two came off a Banchero pass in sudden death.

“He throws bullets down there,” a smiling Terry said. “I’ve got to be ready. I had my hands ready the whole time.”

After nearly turning the ball over, Banchero found Terry, who retrieved the ball after it was deflected by Jared Rhoden and scored over 7-footer Neemias Queta for the thrilling victory.

“Definitely a team win,” Terry said. “My shot was a good shot at the end, but it was the plays before that.”

Terry made one of those plays in blocking a shot after a Magic defensive breakdown near the end of the first overtime.

Kings guard Keon Ellis caught the inbounds pass and did a fake handoff Banchero bit on to open a clear path to the basket.

In reaction, Terry came off Queta on the opposite side of the lane and spiked Ellis’ layup with 0.9 seconds left to force the second overtime.

“That’s my job,” Terry said. “I was trying to help my teammates.”

Terry had missed two free throws in the first overtime with the game tied at 89-89 with 45 seconds left, but he more than made up that.

“I know he was hurting about it, but it’s that next play and having the mental toughness,” said Magic summer league head coach Jesse Mermuys after the game. “He comes up big with the block and then obviously the game-winning shot.”

The game went into overtime thanks to Murray.

The fourth overall pick out of Iowa nailed a 3 for the Kings with 0.2 seconds left to tie the game at 87-87.

Terry played a total of five games in two short stints in Phoenix in the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons on 10-day deals. He averaged 1.8 points.

“I try to learn everything I can from every team,” Terry said.

His most recent run in Phoenix made headlines because Chris Paul came to his defense after he was being heckled by Celtics fans in a road loss in Boston.

Paul told the fans to “respect” Terry, one of many players who took 10-day deals that helped the NBA continue the 2021-22 season amid players being put in the league’s health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19.

Now Terry, who played college ball at Lincoln Memorial, a NCAA Division II school, is looking to return to the NBA.

He certainly left an impression with his clutch play Saturday.

NBA: SCOREBOARD | STANDINGS | STATISTICS

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Emanuel Terry delivers in Magic OT win over Kings in NBA Summer League