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Tristan da Silva · On a memorable evening that featured at-the-time career-highs in both points and assists, Tristan da Silva’s most eye-opening play on December 29, 2024 required something ironic: keeping low to the ground as defenders took flight. Inching close enough to strike fear into the hearts of the Brooklyn Nets — estimated to have a 95.0 percent chance of winning — the versatile rookie keeps the pressure on, driving deceptively enough to prompt Jalen Wilson into leaving the ground. Calm in his pivot back in the opposite direction, da Silva connects on a midrange bucket, trimming a once-troublesome deficit to just seven in the final two-and-a-half minutes. Veteran-like in helping guide a 22-4 run to steer victory, da Silva contributed 21 points (including 13 on five-of-six shooting in the final quarter), alongside six rebounds, seven dimes, one block, and four 3-pointers. The come-from-behind win helped the always-resilient yet shorthanded Orlando Magic maintain their grip on a top-four seed out East heading into 2025’s calendar year. · State of Mint