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LeBron 'happy as hell' to see Fultz thriving

Andrew D. Bernstein / National Basketball Association / Getty

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz continued to show off the skills that made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, posting his second career triple-double on Wednesday in the Magic's 119-118 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Fultz's emergence has been one of the feel-good stories of this NBA season after he struggled with injuries and confidence over the past two years. For his part, Lakers star LeBron James is thrilled to see the 21-year-old thriving.

"(Orlando's) confident in him, he's confident in himself," James told reporters postgame, including ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "He's given an opportunity to go out and play the game how he grew up playing. Everything else takes care of itself.

"I've been supportive of him ever since he was in high school, when he was a rookie in Philly. Been supportive of his situation and still (am) to this day. I'm happy as hell for him."

In Wednesday's contest, Fultz finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists while also demonstrating no fear. During the second quarter, he went right at James in transition and later sealed the victory for Orlando with four points in the game's final minute.

"What I've been through, it just gives me more fire to keep going," Fultz told McMenamin. "I put in a lot of hard work to be where I'm at. I've been through a lot, but I never gave up.

"So, it just shows for people out there, whoever is doubting you, whoever is doing something (to you), put something on your mind and if you have something on your mind, go do it. Don't ever let somebody tell you that you can't and I'm never going to stop. I'm going to keep working until I can't play no more."

Fultz has started 35 of 40 games for the Magic in 2019-20, averaging 11.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest.

Orlando sits seventh in the East with a 20-21 record.

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