The Orlando Magic are back home for NBA Cup action, and the matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks comes with a simple question hanging over it: can Orlando finally get its first home win of the season?
The Magic return to the Kia Center after splitting a four-game west coast road trip 2-2. Now they get a Bucks team that, according to Milwaukee Bucks On SI reporter Ti Windisch, has been dealing with a rough stretch on and off the floor.
“Mostly, bad! While it was time for the Bucks to move on from Giannis given his clear desire to exit Milwaukee, the Bucks have struggled mightily on the court without him. His public grievances last season were an off-court cloud, and while it is a relief to no longer have a franchise player angling to get out, the Bucks have replaced that cloud with a new one in the pending Gary Trent Jr. investigation.”
Windisch did point to one bright spot for Milwaukee: “At least rookies Brayden Burries and Nate Ament have been fun to watch!”
The biggest issue for the Bucks right now, though, is in the middle. Milwaukee came into the season expecting Myles Turner and Kel’el Ware to give it real value at center, but both have been underwhelming early on. That has left the Bucks scrambling for answers, even turning to Kyle Kuzma at the 5 in recent games.
That’s a big reason Milwaukee has had trouble finishing games. Windisch said the Bucks have generally competed, even if the results haven’t followed. The pattern has been familiar: they hang around for most of the night, then hit one cold stretch where the offense dries up and the other team runs away in transition.
“Expect 2-3 compelling quarters, and then look for Orlando to build a huge lead if the pattern holds and the Bucks go half of a quarter or more without scoring hardly any buckets.”
If Milwaukee is going to flip that script, it likely needs more than just a strong night from Tyler Herro, who has been terrific to start the season. The Bucks also need another guard to step up, especially with Ryan Rollins struggling after a strong season a year ago. Brayden Burries and Kasparas Jakucionis have shown flashes, but neither has been consistent enough yet to steady the offense when Herro sits.
Windisch still sees a better effort from Milwaukee than in some of its recent losses, but he expects Orlando to come away with the win thanks to home court and the overall talent gap between the teams.
In Other News...
Jalen Suggs Could Give The Magic A Needed Boost Tonight
The Magic may be getting a little healthier at a time when they could use it. Jalen Suggs has been upgraded to questionable for the NBA Cup matchup with the Bucks after sitting out the last eight games with a right knee contusion and bone bruise, a development that at least opens the door for him to rejoin a backcourt that has had to absorb plenty of strain.
Orlando has been juggling injuries for weeks, and the absence of Paolo Banchero has only sharpened the need for more reliable guard play and lineup flexibility. Suggs status will be worth watching right up to tipoff, because even a limited return would give the Magic another option as they try to keep the rotation intact against a Milwaukee team that can punish any thin spots. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Suggs Could Give The Magic A Needed Lift Tonight
Jalen Suggs is creeping back toward the floor at just the right time for Orlando. The Magic guard took part in shootaround before the teams NBA Cup game and said he feels ready to play, a promising sign after a stretch on the sideline that left the backcourt thinner than usual. He is still listed as questionable, but his presence at morning work suggests the team at least has a real possibility of getting one of its most important perimeter defenders back in the mix.
Sean Sweeney also said forwards Tristan da Silva and Jamal Cain were on the court for shootaround and are questionable as well, giving Orlando a few moving parts to monitor before tipoff. For a team trying to manage its rotation and keep pace in a tournament setting, the injury report could shape how the night unfolds almost as much as the matchup itself. [Read more 🡒]
Magic May Soon Face A Core Decision Fans Wont Like
The Magics roster math is getting harder to ignore, and Anthony Black sits right in the middle of it. Orlando has built an expensive group with playoff expectations, but the combination of a high payroll, recent postseason exits and injuries this season has only sharpened the scrutiny around how the front office handles its young core under coach Sean Sweeney.
Blacks contract situation is one more reason the conversation has turned uneasy. He did not reach an extension agreement this summer and is moving toward restricted free agency in 2027, which naturally invites outside speculation about where the Magic go next with their guard rotation and long-term spending. For now, team and league sources are pushing back on the idea that he is on the block, but the fact that the question is even being asked says plenty about the pressure building around Orlandos next big decision. [Read more 🡒]