OSCEOLA Magic forward Myron Gardner scored 21 points in the second half to lead his team past the Stockton Kings in game one of the best of three G League Finals series on Wednesday.

Gardner scored a career-high 30 points in the win over the Kings, which was also the most of any player on the court in a star-studded matchup, and with his side taking a 1-0 series lead, will now travel to Stockton with a chance to clinch the championship.

The two sides locked horns at Silver Spurs Arena in game one of the decisive series, with the Magic defeating the Maine Celtics to book a spot in the Finals, while the Kings got the better of the Austin Spurs to emerge from the Western Conference.

In a high-scoring clash, it was a tied match at half time, with neither side able to truly break free and snatch some momentum. However, the third quarter proved to be the most decisive, with the Magic winning the term 38-27 and although the Kings tightened things up in the fourth, it was too little, too late, with Osceola claiming an 11-point win.

The Magic would not have been able to go on their match-winning run if not for the performance of Gardner, who put his name in lights with a terrific second half on the big stage.

Stockton Kings (118) def. by Osceola Magic (129)

Myron Gardner – 30 points, eight rebounds, three assists, six steals

It was a match-winning performance from Gardner, who was everywhere in the second half and injected some life into Osceola’s championship hopes in the process.

After missing his first two attempts from the field, the forward finally got on the board with a triple for his only make of the first quarter, taking a back seat as Mac McClung looked to lock in and hit the scoreboard early.

Despite McClung not having his best shooting night from the field, the Magic were still in the contest at half time, tying things up with Gardner finding his offensive groove, particularly on the shooting front with six points in the period.

However, the second half was where the 23-year-old began to shine, timing a cut to the basket perfectly to get himself going with a layup after half time. Back to back scoring possessions with a triple and nice finger roll was crucial in getting the Magic some momentum, and despite having to sit for most of the third term due to foul trouble, his shotmaking was vital in the result of the game.

The Kings were always going to try and make a last quarter push, but Gardner was a steadying presence in the final frame, delivering his best patch of form with the game on the line. He poured in 12 points over the span of three minutes, pulling up from three and driving to the cup as he put the team on his back to close out the match.

It was a defining offensive performance from Gardner, who stepped up with a memorable performance to post career-best numbers under the most pressure the Magic have felt all season. If he can continue to produce at a similar level in game two, Osceola may just have the championship all wrapped up.