Orlando, FL – In a challenging stretch on the road, the Orlando Magic dropped their fourth straight game, losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 102-86. With one game left in this five-game road trip, Orlando is eager to turn things around in Indiana. Notably, big man Goga Bitadze returned from injury, but even his paint presence wasn’t enough to halt the Magic’s struggles.
Offensive Troubles and Defensive Missteps
The Orlando Magic struggled offensively, with inconsistent shooting percentages, turnovers, and an inability to close gaps in defense. This game saw the team shooting only 35.4% from the field, while Oklahoma City capitalized on Orlando’s missed opportunities to pull ahead in the first quarter and third quarters.
Shooting Woes Continue for Orlando
Franz Wagner stood out with 22 points and 47.1% shooting, and Jalen Suggs contributed with 19 points, going 6-for-13 from the field, but outside of these two, the Magic struggled to find reliable scoring options. Franz and Jalen had respectable games, but the two really need to take their game to the next level if they want to carry the Magic whilst Paolo recovers, and Orlando simply hasn’t been seeing that just yet. The team collectively hit only 14.7% from three-point range, and this poor shooting performance was ultimately what killed Orlando’s ability to keep up with Oklahoma City’s pace.
Turnovers and Missed Opportunities
The Magic faced issues with ball control, committing 18 turnovers. The Thunder’s aggressive defense added pressure, forcing turnovers and the Magic ballhandlers seemed lost at time and committed a bad mistake. This also contributed to OKC’s early momentum, which set the tone for the game and allowed them to maintain control until the final buzzer.
Bitadz’s Return Not Enough to Shift Momentum
After an injury absence, Goga Bitadze made a strong return with 11 points and 9 rebounds on an efficient 62.5% shooting. His rebounding added value to Orlando’s interior game, but it wasn’t enough to prevent OKC’s advantage on the boards. The Thunder out-paced the Magic, using the missed shots on one end to lead to quick transition buckets on the other end to maintain scoring pressure.
Defensive Gaps Exploited by OKC
With Bitadze back in the lineup, Orlando hoped for a defensive boost, but they were unable to contain OKC’s key scorers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points, while Jalen Williams posted an impressive 23 points on 58.8% shooting. Orlando’s defense allowed OKC to shoot 45.9% from the field and 38.7% from beyond the arc, underscoring the Magic’s need for a tighter defensive strategy as they approach their next matchup.
Bench and Rotation Struggles
Orlando’s bench contributed minimally in this game, with players like Anthony Black and Jett Howard facing shooting challenges. Outside of Mo Wanger, who scored a respectable nine points, no bench player was a real contributer this game with the next highest scoring getting just three points in the game.
One Game Left on a Challenging Road Trip
With this loss marking their fourth straight on the road, the Magic have one final chance to redeem themselves against the Indiana Pacers. Adjustments to defensive coverage, shooting efficiency, and turnover management will be key as they aim to finish this stretch on a high note and return home with a positive outlook.
