After another frustrating loss, head coach Jamahl Mosley didn’t sugarcoat things. He acknowledged the missed opportunities, defensive breakdowns, and a recurring issue that’s been haunting this team lately-confidence on offense.
Let’s start with the obvious: Cleveland came in and made shots. Donovan Mitchell got rolling, and the Cavaliers hit timely threes that halted any momentum the Magic tried to build.
Mosley gave them their due, but he also pointed out the other side of the coin-Orlando had open looks. The kind of shots you want.
They just didn’t fall.
“They were open,” Mosley said. “We’ve got to step into them and knock them down.”
That’s the league in a nutshell. You can run the right sets, create clean looks, and still walk away empty-handed if the shots don’t drop.
But Mosley’s message was clear: keep putting in the work. Eventually, the results follow.
Defensively, the Magic have been vulnerable from beyond the arc, with opponents shooting well above average over the last five games. That’s a red flag, especially heading into a tough road stretch.
Mosley emphasized the need to tighten up ball containment and be sharper on closeouts. The pick-and-roll defense showed flashes, but the perimeter coverage?
Still a work in progress.
In the half-court, when the offense bogs down, it’s about keeping the ball moving and maintaining the advantage once it’s created. “Ball getting side to side,” Mosley said.
“Taking advantage of mismatches… getting off it quick.” That’s the formula-generate an edge and keep pressing it until the defense breaks.
One recurring issue? Slow starts.
The Magic have struggled to put points on the board in the opening quarter over the last three games. Mosley pointed to defense as the key to unlocking better starts.
Get stops, get out in transition, and let the easy buckets fuel offensive rhythm. “You watch the ball go through the hoop,” he said, “and that just builds more and more.”
As the All-Star break approaches, patience is becoming a theme. Mosley isn’t panicking.
He’s focused on the process-doing things the right way, even if the results aren’t immediate. “If you’re not getting the looks you want, that’s something to be said,” he explained.
“But we’re getting the looks. We’ve got to step in with confidence and knock them down.”
One bright spot was the early minutes from Jase, who stepped in due to Jalen Suggs being on a minutes restriction. Mosley praised Jase’s energy, pace, and defensive effort-small things that can earn a player more time on the floor. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.
Speaking of Suggs, his return brought a much-needed jolt. Even with the restrictions, his presence was felt.
“That’s what he does for us,” Mosley said. “That’s who he’s got to continue to be.”
His toughness and tenacity are vital, especially as the team navigates lineup changes and tries to find consistency.
The overarching message from Mosley? Trust the process.
Trust the work. These guys are putting in the hours, and the coaching staff believes the results will come.
“You just keep trusting the work that you’ve put in,” he said. “Knowing where your shots are coming from… that’s a big key.”
This team is still figuring things out. The pieces are there.
The looks are there. Now it’s about putting it all together-and doing it with confidence.