The term “sophomore slump” is a common occurrence in sports when a young player regresses in their second season after a strong rookie year.

So far, that hasn’t happened for Magic forward Tristan da Silva throughout the first nine games of the season in Orlando.

Instead, the 6-foot-8 forward has gotten sharper from 3-point range, upped the ante on the defensive end of the floor and has grown into a reliable reserve for coach Jamahl Mosley.

Averaging 11.8 points on 43.9% shooting from distance with 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per night before the Magic hosted the Celtics again Sunday, da Silva had totaled the seventh-most points (106) among all sophomores in the league (66) to start the year.

Among the 15 second-year pros who have played at least 175 total minutes, da Silva’s 3-point percentage was third-best and his 18 made 3-pointers were the third-most entering Sunday’s slate of games, according to NBA.com.

And an argument could be made he should see the court even more for the Magic.

Although he was seventh in scoring, tied-sixth in total steals (10) and tied-fourth at the free throw line (shooting 87.5%), da Silva had played the fewest minutes (189) compared the other 15 sophomores who played at least 175 minutes heading into Sunday.

One area of da Silva’s game he’s grown in is his ability to catch-and-shoot from distance. On an average of 3.8 catch-and-shoot attempts from 3-point range this season, he’s shot 44.2% — marks that are up from 34.1% on 2.7 attempts during his rookie campaign.

After battling Boston on Sunday, da Silva and the Magic have a quick turnaround when they host the Trail Blazers for the lone time this season Monday.

Magic hosting ‘Seats for Soldiers’

The Magic and L3Harris Technologies are teaming up for the 22nd consecutive season to host “Seats for Soldiers Night” on Monday. Veterans Day is Tuesday.

The event will provide game tickets for more than 1,500 active and retired military personnel and their families courtesy of the team, L3Harris and season ticket holders who donated their seats for the occasion.

The celebration will include veterans, active military, families from all branches from Patrick Space Force Base, Navy Support Activity Orlando, Naval Station Mayport, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, MacDill Air Force Base, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, the Orange County Mayors Veterans Council, 7235th Medical Support Unit Army Reserve, OCPS Employment Services for Veterans and Orlando Marine Recruiting Station, along with service member and veteran-serving organizations including Blue Star Families, Camaraderie Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, State of Hope, and Soldiers’ Angels.

The Magic will also host two organizations in suites: Airmen from the Air Force and service members from USO. “Seats for Soldiers” cheer cards will be distributed to the first 5,000 fans at Kia Center.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

Magic vs. Trail Blazers

When: 7, Monday, Kia Center

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida