Two from two: Magic too strong for Stars

The Magic put on an impressive show to defeat the Stars 71-54 in their ANZ Premiership match on Monday night in Auckland.

The win was a strong display of their attacking skills and marked their second victory over the Stars in consecutive weeks, having won 72-51 just seven days earlier.

The win also helps the Magic rise to fourth place in the league as they reach the halfway point of the season.

From the beginning, the Magic dominated the game, taking a major lead in the first quarter which the Stars couldn't recover from.

Although the Stars managed to match the Magic in the second and fourth quarters, they were unable to close the gap created by the Magic's attacking masterclass in the first and third quarters.

The Magic shooters, Saviour Tui and Ameliaranne Ekenasio, were exceptional, making it difficult for the Stars to defend against them. The rest of the Magic team also contributed well, leaving the Stars with few options to halt the onslaught.

Captain Maia Wilson was steady for the Stars but struggled with ball control, which affected their performance. In an attempt to turn things around, the Stars tried a new shooting partnership, with Wilson returning to her usual goal shooter position and Monica Falkner starting at goal attack for the first time this season.

The Magic kept the same lineup that performed well in their previous game. They quickly got into their rhythm, showcasing great teamwork and passing, especially from Ekenasio, Claire O'Brien, and Ali Wilshier.

Tui made the most of the solid work done by her team-mates, finishing with great skill both in the air and with her shooting. On the defensive end, Georgia Tong and Erena Mikaere were key players for the Magic, helping them secure a 20-11 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The Stars made some changes to the defence in the second half, bringing in former Silver Fern Kayla Johnson and wing defence Samon Nathan, who was playing her first game of the season after recovering from an injury.

With a stronger defence, the Stars managed to keep up in parts of the game, but the Magic continued to push ahead, maintaining a comfortable lead of 38-29 at halftime.

The Magic started the third quarter strong with quick scoring, fully controlling the game while the Stars had trouble keeping up.

Ekenasio and Tui worked exceptionally well together in the attacking circle, while the Magic's defence, led by Mikaere and Tong, frustrated the Stars and made it difficult for them to score.

Mystics' Sophia Lafaiali'i, left, and Pulse captain Kelly Jackson during their ANZ Premiership match at the TSB Arena in Wellington on 8 June 2025. Photo/Marty Melville/Photosport

In the final stretch, the Stars' efforts with new shooter Charlie Bell were not enough to close the gap, and they faced a 56-39 score as the game headed into the fourth quarter.

In other matches from round five of the ANZ Premiership, the Tactix defeated the Steel in Invercargill 57-49, and the Mystics won against the Pulse 64-51.

Looking ahead, the Stars host the Steel on Saturday, the Pulse will play the Tactix in Christchurch on Sunday, and the Magic will face the Mystics in Auckland on Monday.