Orlando, FL— The Orlando Magic have punched their ticket to the Playoffs for the first time since 2019-20 when they last played in the bubble.
Orlando came into today’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks on a three-game losing skid, and this team desperately needed to claim a victory to secure their berth into the postseason. After failing the last three games to clinch a spot in the Playoffs, Orlando dominated the Milwaukee Bucks this afternoon 113-88.
Before today’s game Head Coach of the Orlando Magic Jamahl Mosley was asked about his group’s sense of urgency coming into the matchup and he stated,
“You know, after last game, I don’t think there needs to be anything set. The level in which these guys came out to play against Philly, but still didn’t go the way we wanted it to. You can feel that locker room and what they understand is at stake in this moment, but still being able to be us. Understand how big the moment is but also knowing that when we’re at our best it’s because we’re defending the right way. It’s because we’re sharing the basketball. It’s because we have a joy and enthusiasm about us, and we have our home fans behind us.”
Wendell Carter Jr (back spasms) who was questionable coming into today’s matchup came off the bench, as Jonathan Issac got his second start of the season filling in at center. Jonathan Issac was nothing short of spectacular for his group tonight as he finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, one steal, and three blocks all in 27 minutes of play. This was the first time Issac has played 25 or more minutes in back-to-back games since 2019.
The impact of Wendell Carter Jr cannot be overlooked as he came off the bench and scored seven points in 14 minutes of play, and had a game-high +27 when he was on the court.
Orlando got off to a sluggish start to begin the game as they trailed by as much as 11 points in that second quarter of play when the Bucks led 39-28 before the Magic rallied back. Orlando would close out the first half on a 19-3 run as they led the Bucks 47-42 going into the halftime locker room.
The Magic blew this game out of the waters in that second half as they outscored the Bucks 66-46 and they felt that energy from the home crowd all afternoon long. It was an all-around collective effort by this Magic team to snap their losing streak, win in front of their fans, and punch their ticket into the Playoffs.
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner were both sensational for the Magic today as both of their young stars showed up when the lights were the brightest. Banchero had 11 rebounds, and seven assists, was a +16 when he was on the court, and he led all scorers with 26 points on an efficient 8 of 19 from the field. Franz was incredible all afternoon as well as he finished with 25 points and five rebounds, and he shot a very good 10-21 from the floor.
“He’s special. I’ll keep saying it over and over and over again.” Jamahl Mosley on Paolo Banchero and his development as the centerpiece of this franchise. “The young man is special because of the way he just wants to win, finding ways to win, whatever that looks like—He accepts it, wants it, and he’s just gonna try to make them do the right thing throughout the game. So for us to understand who he is and what he’s done, it’s in good hands because of the type of young man he is.
Coach Mosley couldn’t go up to the podium in the postgame presser and not mention his level of gratitude towards the fans as he stated,
“I don’t think there’s really a lot of words for it. You talk about a group who has been up and down, battles back, resilient—Our fans were freaking amazing. Our fanbase, our support for this group, it’s just something they should be proud of, and it’s something they should enjoy, and they should embrace who they are as a group and not shy away from it.”
Former Magic coach and now Head Coach of the Milwaukee Bucks Doc Rivers was thoroughly pleased with the job Jamahl Mosley has done with his group this year, and he stated in the pregame presser,
“Done a terrific job. When you have a young team and they’re gonna be in the playoffs, it’s getting a young team to buy in, and they’ve done that. Jamahl just keeps getting better and better, and I was very happy to see that he got an extension. I thought it was well deserved.”
The Magic have now concluded the 2023-24 regular season with a record of 47-35, the winners of the SouthEast Conference, and the number five seed in the Eastern Conference. Orlando will be matched up with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs in a four versus five-matchup that will tip off in Cleveland this weekend.