Since April 2017, the Orlando Magic’s announcement of the Lakeland Magic G League (first presented as the D-League) has changed the meaning of game day for us all.

NBA’s regular season kicks off tomorrow and Lakeland Magic will face the Windy City Bulls in Chicago for their first game. But before they do, we want to make sure you were aware of the magic about to ensue in the city. ✨

We had a chance to interview a few players before the season to ask how they prep for game day, how training camp went + more.

So what is the G League?
In a nutshell, the G League is Orlando Magic’s official minor league organization.

Each NBA team plays a 50-game schedule.
The regular season kicks off tomorrow, November 2 and ends late March. Come April, G League playoffs consist of a four-round, 12-team playoff format.

How does the G League work?
G-League contracts are created for year-round professional growth, including basketball development, life skills mentorship + academic scholarships.

Their roster includes Two-Way Players, returning players, affiliate players, local tryout players, NBA G League draft picks, NBA draft rights players, NBA assignees, NBA draft-eligible players + free agents.

For more details look here.

Why the “G” League?
At the start of the 2017-18 season, the D-League (the NBA Development League) was renamed when the NBA entered a multiyear expanded partnership with Gatorade. Hence, the G League.

Their partnership marked the first for a US professional sports league to be named an entitlement partner.

How can I watch games?
For only $10 dollars, you can watch any home game at the RP Funding Center. NBA G League games are also aired on Facebook Live, ELEVEN SPORTS, Twitch, NBA TV, and ESPNU.

So the next time someone asks, “What’s the G League?” now you know. Beyond game day this team #AsOne has offered countless humanitarian initiatives for the city in the past year, giving us all a little magic, in more ways than one.

-Kristin

via GIPHY