The Orlando Magic have quietly become one of the most compelling stories in the NBA this season. At 23-18, they’re not just hanging around in the Eastern Conference-they’re making noise.
And while Paolo Banchero’s continued rise has been a driving force on the court, there’s something just as important happening off of it: this team genuinely enjoys being around each other. That chemistry?
It’s starting to show up in the win column.
A recent behind-the-scenes moment gave fans a glimpse into that bond. During a team photoshoot, the Magic players were interrupted by an unexpected guest-a bulldog casually strolling into the frame. What happened next was a reminder that this group isn’t just about business; they’re having fun along the way.
Desmond Bane, never one to miss a moment for some locker room humor, pointed at the dog and cracked, “He look like Wendell,” taking a playful jab at big man Wendell Carter Jr. The room erupted. Laughter echoed through the shoot, and just like that, a candid moment turned into a snapshot of the Magic’s tight-knit culture.
This kind of chemistry doesn’t show up in the box score, but it matters. Teams that trust each other, that laugh together, that genuinely enjoy the grind-they tend to go further. And for a young squad like Orlando, that camaraderie could be the X-factor as the season wears on.
Off the court, Carter Jr. has also been drawing attention for reasons beyond basketball. He’s been linked to WNBA star Angel Reese, and while neither has confirmed anything publicly, fans have been piecing things together. The speculation picked up steam around Christmas, when Reese posted a photo in a red satin outfit on her Instagram story with the caption, “Our 2nd Christmas.”
That alone might’ve raised a few eyebrows, but it was the gold chain she wore that really set off the rumor mill. The pendant?
It bore the initials “WCJ”-the same as Wendell Carter Jr. Naturally, NBA fans connected the dots, and the internet did what it does best.
Reese was also spotted courtside when the Magic faced off against the Bulls, adding more fuel to the fire. Whether or not the rumors are true, one thing is clear: Carter Jr. is staying in the spotlight, both for his contributions on the floor and for what’s happening beyond it.
But back to the basketball. The Magic are building something real.
With Banchero leading the way, Carter Jr. anchoring the paint, and a roster that’s buying in on both ends of the floor, Orlando is no longer just a rebuilding team. They’re a threat-one that’s growing more confident by the day.
And if they keep playing like this, with smiles on their faces and wins piling up, it won’t be long before the rest of the league starts paying a lot more attention.