The Orlando Magic didn’t exactly set the league on fire to start the season. When you send out four first-round picks for a player who’s never been to an All-Star Game, a 4-6 record out of the gate is bound to raise eyebrows. That kind of investment comes with expectations-and early on, the results didn’t match the price tag.
But everything shifted in Game 11.
That’s when Desmond Bane drilled a game-winner that felt like more than just a buzzer-beater. It looked like a wake-up call. Since that moment, the Magic have found their rhythm-and they’re starting to look like the team their front office believed they were constructing.
Over their last 10 games, Orlando has gone 8-2. That includes a statement win over the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, and perhaps more importantly, they locked up their NBA Cup group to punch a ticket to the knockout round in Las Vegas.
For a young team trying to take the next step, that kind of win matters. It’s not just a game-it’s a measuring stick.
And here’s the thing: it’s not smoke and mirrors. The numbers tell the same story the eye test does.
During this stretch, the Magic have been one of the few teams in the league to post both a top-ten offense and defense. That’s a big deal for a franchise that’s spent much of the past decade stuck in the basement offensively.
For years, they’ve had defensive grit, but not enough firepower to keep up. Now, they’re showing signs of balance-and that’s what makes this run feel sustainable.
The NBA Cup might still be in its infancy, but for a team like Orlando, it’s a real opportunity. You don’t get many big-stage games in November, but the Magic just passed their first test with confidence. Now comes the next one, and it's in Vegas-where the lights are brighter, the stakes are higher, and the spotlight doesn’t lie.
This is a team that’s starting to believe in itself. And more importantly, they’re giving the rest of the league a reason to start believing, too.