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Josh Cohen

The Orlando Magic made 25 shots during the 2023-24 regular season in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime with the score differential within three points. Paolo Banchero made 14 of them, the third-most in the league this season. Only Steph Curry (22) and DeMar DeRozan (19) made more.&nbsp;

Here were Banchero’s most memorable ones:

After Lauri Markkanen put Utah up one with a 3-pointer with 20.1 seconds remaining, Banchero countered with a go-ahead left-handing driving layup with 14.0 seconds left. The Magic would get a stop on the Jazz’s ensuing possession to help secure a 115-113 victory.

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Paolo Banchero Game Winner vs. Jazz (11/2/23)

The score knotted up at 94 after Zach LaVine hit a second consecutive 3-pointer, Banchero backed down Alex Caruso in the post and connected on a turnaround jumper in the lane with 1.4 seconds left to lift the Magic to a 96-94 win in Chicago. 

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Paolo Banchero Game Winner vs. Bulls (11/15/23)

Four of those 14 clutch shots from Banchero came in this game, ultimately won by the Kings in double overtime. Among them was a tying layup with 1.1 seconds left in the first OT off an inbounds pass from Chuma Okeke. 

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Paolo Banchero Game-Tying Shot vs. Kings (1/2/24)

Down the stretch of a thriller in Miami, Banchero knocked down two straight mid-range jumpers – the first pulling Orlando within one with 1:10 left and the second giving them the lead with 39 seconds remaining. The Heat, however, would go on to win after Bam Adebayo hit a mid-range jumper of his own with 18.1 seconds left. 

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Paolo Banchero Clutch Shots vs. Heat (1/12/24)

Needing a three to tie it, Banchero delivered with a triple over the reach of both Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu with 8.4 seconds left. Dejounte Murray responded, however, on the game’s final possession with a game-winning jumper at the buzzer. 

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Paolo Banchero Game-Tying 3-Pointer vs. Hawks (1/17/24)

Despite feeling under the weather, Banchero stepped up in the final seconds with a game-winning AND-1 jumper over Jalen Duren with eight-tenths of a seconds left to propel the Magic to a thrilling 112-109 win in Detroit. 

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Paolo Banchero Game Winner vs. Pistons (2/24/24)

Franz Wagner made three of those 25 shots, including a go-ahead AND-1 driving layup with 20.6 seconds left in Chicago on Nov. 17. He also connected on a go-ahead floater with 45 seconds remaining against the Hawks in Mexico City on Nov. 9.&nbsp;

Jonathan Isaac had two of them – both putbacks off offensive rebounds (at Timberwolves with 1:17 left on Feb. 2 and vs. Bulls with 1:06 left in OT on Feb. 10). Cole Anthony also had two – a reverse layup with 1:47 left at Denver on Jan. 5 and a go-ahead driving layup with 27 seconds remaining vs. Kings on March 23. Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz and Caleb Houstan each made one.

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Paolo Banchero Was One of NBA’s Most Clutch Performers in 2023-24

Official Release

ORLANDO – Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. will undergo surgery to stabilize the third metacarpal in his left hand. The preventive procedure will involve placing a plate at the fracture site.

Carter Jr. is expected to make a full recovery and will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks following the procedure. He originally suffered a fractured left hand on Nov. 2, 2023 @ Utah and underwent subsequent surgery.

Carter Jr. (6’10”, 262, 4/16/99) played in 55 regular season games (48 starts) this season with Orlando, averaging 11.0 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 25.6 minpg., while shooting .525 (223-425) from the floor and .374 (64-171) from three-point range. He led (or tied) the team in scoring twice, in rebounding 26 times and in assists once. Carter Jr. scored in double figures 28 times and 20+ points three times, including a season-high 25 points on Jan. 19 vs. Philadelphia. He had 10+ rebounds 10 times, including a season-high 15 rebounds on Mar. 10 vs. Indiana, and had nine double-doubles. Carter Jr. also played in seven playoff games (five starts), averaging 7.6 ppg., 6.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 26.4 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by Chicago, Carter Jr. has appeared in 315 career NBA regular season games (294 starts) with Chicago and Orlando, averaging 12.5 ppg., 8.5 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 27.6 minpg., while shooting .517 (1,497-2,893) from the field. He has had 10+ rebounds 118 times (79 with Orlando) and 100 double-doubles (69 with Orlando) during his career.

Carter Jr. was acquired by Orlando from Chicago, along with Otto Porter Jr. and two future first round draft picks, in exchange for Al-Farouq Aminu and Nikola Vučević on Mar. 25, 2021. He has played in 196 games (182 starts) with the Magic, averaging 13.6 ppg., 8.8 rpg. and 2.2 apg. in 28.2 minpg., while shooting .522 (1,005-1,927) from the field.

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2023-24 Exit Interviews: Wendell Carter Jr.

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Wendell Carter Jr. to Undergo Surgery on Left Hand

ORLANDO - A couple weeks ago, the Orlando Magic and AdventHealth held a basketball clinic for a few dozen youth from the Levy-Hughes Boys & Girls Club in Parramore. Afterwards, the teenagers that attended were surprised with tickets to Game 4 of the Magic’s first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

On Friday, another Central Florida Boys & Girls Club got a big surprise. This time, it was at the Universal Orlando Branch Foundation on Raleigh Street, where representatives from the Magic, including Community Ambassador Bo Outlaw, and AdventHealth came by to renovate the teen room with a new television, study tables, gaming chairs, pop-a-shot, a foosball table, gaming consoles, an NBA Jam Arcade system, video games and board games.

There were also updates added to the club’s “quiet room,” including new furniture and mental health resources for youth. In addition, the Magic and AdventHealth provided the entire club with Papa Johns pizza.

“We are really excited to be able to offer this opportunity to the Boys and Girls Clubs, which has been a long-standing partner of the Orlando Magic and OMYF (Orlando Magic Youth Foundation),” Magic Executive Vice President of Marketing and Social Responsibility Shelly Wilkes said. “Through our partnership with AdventHealth and our run in the playoffs, we wanted to really give back and find a project and opportunity to really support the kids in our community.

“I think it’s really important for the Magic to be engaged with the youth of our community in a multitude of ways. And this is just one of those ways where we can provide a safe space for them, provide excitement, provide engagement, and provide a place that they want to come to every day – so that they can enrich their lives and be positive influences on their peers as well.”

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida is to “inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.”

Every day after school, as well as all summer long, the clubs provide a safe and caring experience for children between the ages of 6 and 18 from Central Florida’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods, at no or little cost to their families. By providing academic support, extracurricular opportunities and guidance from positive adult role models, the clubs aim to break the cycle of poverty for future generations.&nbsp;

Having organizations such as the Magic and AdventHealth do all they do for the community is a game changer – not only for the resources they provide, but also for the spirit and compassion that the kids feel when they come around. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I think it’s incredible,” said Charlene Cypress, service director at the Universal Orlando Branch Foundation Boys & Girls Club. “I think that the kids see role models such as the Magic, and they see those figures as someone that they want to be like. But to have the two bridge the gap between the Magic and Boys and Girls Club provides them with the opportunity to say, ‘the same that they did, I can do too.’”&nbsp;

As partners for 30 years, the Magic and AdventHealth are committed to enhancing the healthy, active lives of players, fans and the Central Florida community. Together, they’ve gone above and beyond throughout these years to help youth reach their full potential.

“For us as the Orlando Magic, one of the key elements of who we are as an organization is to support the community and really be that fabric for Central Florida,” Wilkes said. “When we have partners like AdventHealth that can come alongside us and do that, it’s extremely important. We always say that every day in the community is gameday. That is truly what we believe. It’s how we operate as an organization, and we are so thankful that AdventHealth is that partner that can come alongside us and do that – and to be able to support the Boys and Girls Clubs, which do amazing work.”&nbsp;

Off the court, on an annual basis, the Magic give more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, the OMYF, which serves at-risk youth, has distributed more than $29 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the last 34 years.

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Orlando Magic, AdventHealth Surprise Local Boys & Girls Club With Teen Room Renovation 

Dan Savage

ORLANDO –&nbsp;There are a lot of ways for teams in the NBA to improve over the course of the offseason.

They can sign free agents, make trades, and add quality pieces through the draft.

They can also make significant process simply through internal growth.

The 2023-24 Orlando Magic were the perfect example of that concept. The franchise only signed one outside free agent, veteran Joe Ingles, and still made a 13-win improvement – the largest in the Eastern Conference – over their prior season.

The only other additions made to that team were two rookies, Anthony Black and Jett Howard.

While their contributions varied over the course of the season, Black and Howard have the ability to play significant roles for the Magic next season. Both players have skillsets that the organization covets, and through hard work and dedication this summer, they can help fill some of the team’s current needs.

“I’m not exactly sure yet how we’ll look to target our needs,” said Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman of the team’s plans this summer. “Sometimes it can be done through trades. It can be done through draft. When I stood here last year and talked about internal growth, if you think about what we’ve done this year, we added Joe Ingles and two rookies, and we went from 34 to 47 (wins).”

Black, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, appeared in 69 games for the Magic this season, including 33 starts. He averaged 4.6 points, 1.3 assists and 0.5 steals per outing. The 6-foot-7, 200-pounder showed that he could be an integral part of a winning unit, serving as a starter during Orlando’s season-long nine-game winning streak that stretched from November into December.

“It was super helpful,” Black explained. “I got to see some parts of my game that I need to work on while also getting to just play, honestly, on a playoff-level team. I think all of it did a lot of good for me. I’ll definitely be going back and watching the film to see what we can get better on, for sure. All the experience – the playing, the not playing – it all helped. It’s all good for character. It’s all good in the long run.”

At the moment, Black’s biggest asset in his defense. He has tremendous size and length, and is tenacious in his approach on that end of the floor. If he were to solidify a role in the Magic’s rotation next season, he would only add to a team that made defense their calling card and finished with the league’s third-best defensive rating in 2023-24.

“(We want) to get better, but not at the expense of the things that cost us our DNA,” Weltman explained. There’s a reason that we were a good team this year, and we don’t want to lose that.”

On the flipside, Black is looking to improve as a shooter. While his outside shot was considered a weakness of his coming into the league, he made noticeable growth over the course of his rookie campaign in his shooting form and in his confidence to take open shots from the outside. After shooting just 26.1 percent from 3-point range over the first two months of the season, Black shot over 44.4 percent from long range in both December and January.

“(Magic shooting coach) Jeremiah (Boswell) and I have been working hard on it since I got here,” Black said. “It was definitely good seeing a little bit of results actually kind of early on. I was definitely feeling a little bit more confident as the season went on. Hopefully, next year, we can just keep building on that.”

Howard, on the other hand, can without a doubt provide a boost to the Magic’s most discussed need&nbsp;–&nbsp;shooting. While he only appeared sparingly for Orlando this season, he spent significant time in Osceola with the organization’s G League affiliate. While in Osceola, Howard, the No. 11 overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft, averaged 18.8 points per game.

“I think that Jett had a great rookie year,” Weltman explained. “Obviously, it’s not going to show up to the fans who come to the Orlando games, but Jett had a great rookie year. He got so much better in a lot of areas that we had targeted when we drafted him. When we talk about the team needs shooting, Jett is a very talented young man. He’s worked really hard. He’s expressed the humility and the drive and the work ethic. It doesn’t matter where (he is, he’s) there to get better. (He’s) there to get better, so that when (he) comes to Orlando, (he’s) ready to help the team. So, I’m really excited about the season that he had (and) the way that the G League was used.”

The 6-foot-8, 215-pound Michigan alum, shot close to 38 percent from distance and knocked down the fifth-most 3-pointers (104) in the entire G League this year.

“It’s something that I’ve always been able to do,” he explained. “Just having them trust in me to take those shots would be great … I think we have a lot of great shooters from me, Caleb (Houstan), Gary (Harris), Joe (Ingles). It’s just a matter of taking them. I feel like everyone can really shoot in that locker room.”

Orlando has a lockstep relationship with its G League squad. Osceola head coach Dylan Murphy and General Manager Kevin Tiller II both spent time with the parent club before taking their current roles. The G League team practices out of the Kia Center, and the team runs some similar concepts to those executed in Orlando.

Murphy worked relentlessly with Howard on all aspects of his game, but with a heavy focus on his defense. An improvement in that area would certainly help him earn a spot in Orlando’s rotation next season.

“This is probably the best defensive team that I’ve ever seen and been around,” Howard explained. “I know I’m biased, but I really feel like that. Everyone can guard one through five. It’s kind of infectious when you’re around that all the time. I think I’ve grown tremendously because Osceola teaches the same exact stuff and has the same exact schemes that we have up here. I think I’ve grown tremendously.”

Both Black and Howard mentioned in their exit interviews that they plan on spending most of their summer in Orlando working closely with the Magic’s coaches.

“It’s a huge summer (for them),” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “(They were able to) realize and recognize what it means to be a playoff team, to get to a Game 7, (and) to battle throughout the year. (For) them to experience it and be part of it, they (learned) exactly how hard you have to work, how physical it can be, (and) how taxing it can be on your body. So, making sure you’re taking care of your body and your mind throughout the summer, to make sure you’re putting yourself in position to give yourself a chance.”

That formula has worked before for Magic youngsters. Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner have all made significant strides year in and year out, and often credit Orlando’s coaches and training staff for their success.

“I’ve definitely heard that recipe before,” Howard explained. “Just staying here (for) pretty much the whole summer. I don’t really plan on going anywhere. I’m just (planning on) learning and being around the coaches all the time. Gaining more knowledge. I think that will play a big part in it.”

And the Magic’s two rookies can play a big part for the team next season if they work diligently this summer with that goal in mind.

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Magic Rookies Anthony Black and Jett Howard Can Provide a Big Boost Next Season

1. Paolo Banchero Has a Chance to Be One of the All-Time Greats

There are many reasons why this is. Most obvious, he’s doing things statistically only all-time greats do. For example, by averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 2023-24, he became just the fourth player 21 years old or younger to average 22-plus points, six-plus rebounds and five-plus assists with 40-plus games played. The others were Michael Jordan, LeBron James (twice) and Luka Doncic (twice).&nbsp;

Banchero also scored over 30 points three times in Orlando’s first-round playoff series against Cleveland. Only LeBron was younger when he accomplished that (did it five times in 2006 first-round series against Wizards and scored at least 30 three times in following series against Pistons). Banchero’s 38 points in Game 7 were the most ever by a player 21 or younger in a Game 7.&nbsp;

Other things going for him are his poise, maturity, work ethic, and love of the game.&nbsp;

2. Magic’s Defense Was Great And Should Continue to Be

Magic players said over and over again at media day, and even more so throughout training camp, that defense would be what they hang their hat on. That proved to be legit. Orlando finished with the league’s third-best defense (No. 1 after All-Star break) and held its opponent under 100 points 23 times, tied with Minnesota and New York for most.&nbsp;

While everyone did their part, the two that went above and beyond defensively were Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac. Opponents shot just 39.1 percent with Isaac contesting, per Second Spectrum. That was third best among players who contested at least 300 shots and best among non-guards. Suggs did his best work following the All-Star break, when opponents shot just 37.9 percent with him contesting, fifth best among those during that time frame with 200-plus contests.&nbsp;

3. Kia Center Has Turned Into One of Best Home Courts

Overall, in the regular season, the Magic went 29-11 in their home arena. The only Eastern Conference teams with better home records than Orlando were Boston and Milwaukee.&nbsp;

Also, the Magic went a perfect 17-0 against sub-.500 teams at Kia Center. Boston, OKC and Denver also didn’t lose at home against those teams, but with fewer opportunities. The Celtics were 16-0, while the Thunder and Nuggets were each 15-0.&nbsp;

The Magic then went on to win all three of their home playoff games against the Cavs, including in Games 3 and 4 by a combined 61 points. They were the first team ever in a playoff series to win Games 3 and 4 by a combined 60-plus points after losing the first two games.&nbsp;

4. No Surprise, But the Regular Season Matters (A lot)

One of the biggest fallacies in the NBA is that it’s fine to coast in the regular season. Just make the playoffs, and then you’ll turn it on when the stakes are higher, many have in the past said.&nbsp;

History, however, tells a much, much different story. Rarely do lower-seeded playoff teams advance far in the postseason. Yes, the Heat made the Finals last year as a No. 8 seed. The Knicks were also a No. 8 seed when they reached the Finals in 1999, which was a lockout-shortened season. Those are exceptions. The reality is, most of the time, teams seeded between one and four in their respective conferences are the ones who are in position to go on deep playoff runs, no matter how close the final regular season standings were.&nbsp;

Just look at this year’s first-round results. In the West, the No. 1, 2, 3 and 5 seeds advanced. The No. 4-seeded Clippers didn’t have Kawhi Leonard most of their series against the Mavs. In the East, the No. 1, 2, 4 and 6 seeds advanced. The No. 3-seeded Bucks didn’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo in their series against the Pacers, and Damian Lillard missed two of those games.&nbsp;

The bottom line for the Magic going forward is they must take every regular season game seriously because one game could be the difference between going on a deep playoff run versus being ousted in the first round. If they were at home in Game 7 against the Cavs rather than in Cleveland, just think about how different things might be right now.&nbsp;

5. Magic Have An Amazing Coaching/Training Staff

Making a 25-win jump across a two-year span is not common, especially for a young team. But that’s precisely what the Magic accomplished, going from 22 wins in 2021-22, to 34 wins in 2022-23, to 47 wins in 2023-24. Head coach Jamahl Mosley, who finished second behind OKC’s Mark Daigneault for the Coach of the Year award this season, and his entire coaching staff have done an incredible job steering this group in the right direction.&nbsp;

All year, the Magic stuck to their principles and didn’t change who they were. They understand what their strengths were. They knew it had to be done by committee. That’s the buy-in that’s necessary to make major strides.

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2023-24 Exit Interviews: Paolo Banchero

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2023-24 Exit Interviews: Franz Wagner

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2023-24 Exit Interviews: Jeff Weltman

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2023-24 Exit Interviews: Jamahl Mosley

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5 Things Learned About the Orlando Magic During the 2023-24 Season

ORLANDO –&nbsp;If media day is like the first day of school, then exit interviews are like the final day of class.

Each player has one-on-one meetings with the front office and coaching staff to review the year and what’s expected of them over the summer.

As members of the Orlando Magic completed their sit-down sessions, they all spoke to the media one final time before departing for the offseason.

It was clear that, to-a-man, members of the Magic were proud of their 47-win season, which earned them a playoff berth. However, it was equally evident that they were not satisfied and that they enter the offseason hungry to improve in order to be ready for the 2024-25 campaign.

Let’s take a closer look at the themes that emerged from the Magic’s exit interview sessions on Monday:

When the Magic arrived for training camp at the AdventHealth Training Center in September, they were determined to become a top-10 defensive team, execute their offense with a by-committee approach, and embrace the expectations of becoming a playoff team.

Over the course of the season, Orlando was able to do all of that and more.

The Magic were able to make a 13-win improvement over their prior campaign and claimed the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

After setting out to make defense its calling card, Orlando finished the regular season with the NBA’s third-best defensive rating (110.8). The Magic were also a stellar 21-2 over that span when holding teams under 100 points.

Orlando’s staunch defense carried over into the postseason, as it was able to hold the Cleveland Cavaliers under 100 points in five of their seven meetings. The Magic limited the Cavs to just 44.0 percent shooting from the floor (fifth-worst in the NBA in the playoffs) and 28.7 percent shooting from deep (lowest mark in the East).

Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley: “We accomplished a lot. We did a great job of handling the highs and the lows of the season. What we wanted to accomplish defensively as our calling card, I thought was great. Our young guys learned how to win in this league, which is what we’ve talked about from the beginning of the year. You talk about the support that we had from our fans, from the city. Those are things that you’ll look back on and say that you got better, you grew, and you built something very special for the years to come.”

Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman: “Exceptionally (proud). I’m not a big predictor or goal setter. We want to practice (and) play the right way at all times. Treat each other the right way. And we always believe that the results will follow. So, the way that these guys conducted themselves through adversity, the way that they held themselves accountable to one another, for such a young group of players, I thought was really impressive. I could not be more proud of them. Not just for the wins and losses, but just who they are as people. The way they propped each other up. They really came through the season showing everybody who they are.”

Wendell Carter Jr.: “It just shows how good of a group we have. We’re a fairly young team and we set goals that we achieved this year. Of course, we wanted to go further in the playoffs – I think that’s what everyone wanted – but if you take a step back and actually look at the season, you would have to say it’s good. We weren’t satisfied at all, but you have to say it’s a hell of a season for us, for sure.”

MAGIC BUILT A SPECIAL HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE

One of the lessons that many of the Magic players learned through their first playoff experience is how much home court matters.

Even in the regular season, that was evident for Orlando. The Magic closed out their 2023-24 campaign with the East’s third-best home record (29-12), went a perfect 17-0 at the Kia Center against sub-.500 competition, and did not lose a single playoff game on their home floor.

The Magic hosted four of the top five crowds in franchise history, and had 30 sellouts over the course of the season.

Their fans played a huge role in creating a hostile environment for opposing squads, and that has the team determined to secure a home-court advantage in a playoff series next season.

Weltman: “I hope (the fans) are proud of us. I really hope that they are proud of our players. I can tell you that our players are so appreciative of our fans. I don’t think we would have had this season without them. We don’t ever take that for granted. We have the best fans in the league, and they really showed who they are in the playoffs, man. I hope they had fun, and I hope that they are excited about the ride that we are all about to go. But it doesn’t happen without them. So, I say a big shoutout, a big thanks to the fans.”

Paolo Banchero: “It was special this year – just from the beginning. We started off really well and the fans really bought in during that time … and stuck with us the whole season. In the playoffs, they took it to another level and really got behind us. It elevated us – our play, our mentality. We knew we had them behind us every time we stepped foot on our home court. It was super exciting, and it just makes me even more excited for next year. I know the fans are going to be super excited (and) anticipating us to be back to where we are. It’s a new era, it’s a new day, and I’m sure the fans are happy.”

Jalen Suggs: “It’s apparent (with) all the love that was given. All the cheering, the positive words, the positive messages. Every day that we had a home game, just getting to walk through the tunnel and give hugs, receive love and have conversations … People who’ve lived here, people who have been Magic fans for a while, who’ve just recently become Magic fans, just anybody who came into that building and experienced the energy, the joy, the connectiveness that we have as a team, and that the team has with the fans is special. It’s something that I love being around and I want to continue to be around.”

Moe Wagner: “Home court matters. A nine-point deficit on the road feels a lot bigger than a nine-point deficit at home. It’s a lot harder to make up. I think that’s something that you have to keep in mind when you play in January and February. Those games matter because you want to set yourself up for a successful playoff run. Certain things you don’t know until you experience them. I think that’s one of those things.”

After earning Rookie of the Year honors, Banchero took another leap forward in his sophomore season. Not only did he make his first NBA All-Star appearance, but the 21-year-old became the youngest player in NBA history to lead his team in scoring, rebounding and assists in a single season.

Those jaw-dropping numbers carried over into postseason play, as Banchero became the second youngest player in league history to have three 30-plus scoring performances in the same series. In a do-or-die Game 7 against the Cavs, the 6-foot-10 forward erupted for 38 points with 24 of them coming in the first half. That total was the most ever by an NBA player in the first half of a Game 7 by a player who is 21 years old or younger.

Weltman: “How can you not be wildly impressed with Paolo, man? To be able to lock in and process through the season, within a game as quickly and as efficiently as he does at age 21 is just – I don’t know what to say – it's uncommon. You just haven’t seen that happen that often in this league. So, coupled with his physical abilities and gifts, he’s got a tremendous potential, a tremendous future in front of him. Most importantly, he is 100 percent motivated by winning and lifting up others – whatever that takes. We’re extremely excited about Paolo. We’re thrilled to have him on the team. His growth and potential speak for themselves. There’s nothing really that I can add.”

Franz Wagner: “It’s super fun playing with Paolo. I think the coolest part is that he’s a great player, but he’s an even better human. He’s super normal, super humble, (and) I think that sets the tone for the whole group. I’m super excited for the future (and) I think we can keep getting better.”

Carter: “I don’t think words can really describe how talented he is. On top of all of that, he’s just a good person. He’s also of that crew (that’s all about) whatever it takes to win. He does all the little things. Of course, he’s a phenomenal scorer, but he does all of the things that are necessary to win. He’s a phenomenal leader. He (speaks) up. For him to be doing that at such a young age – barely 21 – the sky is the limit for him. I’m just glad to be able to share a court with him. His trajectory, he’s going to be a Hall-of-Famer, for sure.”

Since Mosley’s arrival, there’s been an emphasis on building a family-like environment in Orlando. That’s been evident on the court with the group’s by-committee approach on offense and with the way players celebrate each other’s success. It’s also clear off the court. Between the locker room dynamic and players appearing at each other's events, it's evident that members of the team genuinely like each other.

It's become a place that players do not want to leave. That was made clear by all of the Magic’s pending free agents, who each expressed their desire to remain in Orlando.

Markelle Fultz: “I definitely want to be a part of it. They’ve (received) me with open arms here. They’ve been very supportive of me through all the ups and downs I’ve had on and off the court. Of course, you want to be a part of a young group who is doing great things. Just the culture here. They have a lot of good people. I’ve built a lot of great relationships here, not only with the staff, but with the organization. I’m just excited for what the future holds. I’m very open for everything. I’m super excited.”

Gary Harris: “I’ve enjoyed my time here ever since I stepped foot in Orlando. It’s been great. I love it. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about it. I don’t know what free agency holds. I’m just taking it one day at a time. I love my time here. I love my teammates. I feel like we’ve built something very special. So, we’ll just see where it goes.”

Goga Bitadze: “Yeah, (I want to come back), 100 percent. (On) this team, I talk with everybody. I got waived. These guys picked me up off of waivers. I didn’t even know if I was going to stay in the league. I was already thinking about going back to Europe, and these guys took me in with open arms. This is the first place (that felt) like home. (It’s where) I want to be. If it comes down to that and I am still here, I will be really, really happy.”

Along those same lines, the Magic have created a place that other players see as extremely desirable. Between the family-like atmosphere, a high-end coach, a first-class arena and training facility, and a young playoff-bound club – not to mention sensational weather and no state tax – Orlando is now viewed as a top-notch destination.

Weltman: “I think we’re growing. We have a lot of momentum. A lot of people that I run into over the course of the season and especially as we head into the playoffs – and even in the last couple of days – have really expressed an enthusiasm for what we’re doing here. The one thing that excites me is I know that everybody here emanates that outwardly – even the building that we’re standing in right now (AdventHealth Training Center). It all brings us together, and I feel like we are definitely becoming a place (where) players want to play. (We’re) a team with a locker room and a coaching staff that guys want to be a part of. One thing I do believe, I always believe that NBA players want to be part of something bigger than themselves. They work really hard. It’s a team sport. They all know they need everything to prop them up to be successful. I believe that we will attract those sorts of people. I think we are on our way. We have a lot of work to do.”

PLAYERS ARE EAGER TO GET BACK TO THE PLAYOFFS AND BE EVEN BETTER

While a tough Game 7 loss left a bitter taste in many players’ mouths, it also motivated them to be even better next season.

After getting to experience the highs and lows of the playoffs, the Magic are determined to return to the postseason and will make every effort to improve this offseason.

Banchero: “I think this group really has no ceiling. We have the ultimate belief in each other and what we can do. It took us this far this year. (With) another summer of working, improving, and everybody having that hunger and motivation, I think we can take it even farther. This was just the very start of something special.”

Franz: “That’s going to stick with me all summer. Hopefully, I can use it as motivation and fuel (in) the right way. Obviously, it was super frustrating.”

Suggs: “(We’re hungry to take another step), very much so. All of us are so young. We’re competitive. We're driven by that and the joy of playing with each other. We want to keep this unit together as long as possible. I think that’s the part that hurts so much about losing. All of us will continue to work (and) continue to get back in the lab. We don’t want to feel this again. Not at this stage. Not at this point in the year. It will definitely be a motivating factor. We're all so close that we’ll continue to work together, to talk and grow individually, as a unit, basketball players, and as humans.”

Jonathan Isaac: “We’ll come into training camp ready to work. I think the heartbeat of this organization is togetherness and (doing it) by committee anyways. So, no matter who is here, they’ll be integrated properly, and they’ll be ready to play.”

Carter: “Everyone wants to be (in the playoffs). Now I see why. For me, it’s nothing less than that. For this team, I want to (do) whatever I can to help this team get back there (and) to go further. That’s all my mind is on going into the summer. Be as healthy as possible, be in the best shape, so that we can be that top-four seed in the playoffs next year.”

Cole Anthony: “We were so close to getting to that next round. Obviously, that’s going to motivate everyone on this team. We’ll keep that in the back of our heads for a long time. It was such a dope experience (to play in the playoffs). We were all so blessed to be in that position. I just can’t wait until next year.”

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Orlando Magic Exit Interviews' Notable and Quotable

CLEVELAND - A tale of two outstanding home-court advantages and a tale of two halves in Game 7. 

They are the narratives that defined the first-round playoff series between the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and fifth-seeded Orlando Magic.&nbsp;

The home team won all seven games and the Cavs, behind another Herculean performance from Donovan Mitchell, erased an 18-point first-half deficit to win the series finale 106-94 and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they will take on the top-seeded Boston Celtics.&nbsp;

Mitchell, a five-time NBA All-Star, was just 3-of-13 from the field prior to intermission, and then like a flip of a switch, he transformed into “Spida,” a nickname given to him by a former teammate’s father for his Spider-man-like attributes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 6-foot-1, long-armed guard ended up scoring 39 points, 17 coming in the tide-turning third quarter when the Cavs outscored the Magic by 18.&nbsp;

Immediately following the game, he acknowledged just how tough it was to play against the Magic and, after going toe-to-toe against them for seven games, can see why they are widely thought of as one of the best young teams in the league.&nbsp;

“First of all, I want to give to the credit to the Magic, man,” he told ABC’s Lisa Salters. “They’ve got some dawgs over there. Jamahl Mosley is a phenomenal coach. They’ve got some guys (that are really good). Paolo Banchero is going to be a monster. Much respect to them. This wasn’t easy.”&nbsp;

For most of the first half, the Magic were outmuscling and outhustling the Cavs. Their defense, which is their calling card, was smothering, and they were forcing Cleveland into an abundance of heavily-contested shots – both in the paint and on the perimeter.

The other big component of Orlando’s early-game success was the dominant play of Banchero, scored 24 of his 38 points prior to the break. He also finished with 16 rebounds, giving him a pair of double-doubles in the series and three performances of over 30 points.

“Special,” Mosley said of the 21-year-old second-year sensation. “There’s a reason why he’s an All-Star. There’s a reason why he’ll be All-NBA. Big moments, he never shies away from them. Never backed down. (He) wanted every ounce of whatever they were throwing at him…All the things that you’ve asked him to do in these big moments, he did.”&nbsp;

As was the case in each of the other three games in Cleveland, the Magic struggled mightily from 3-point range, going 10-for-31 (32.3 percent) in Sunday’s Game 7. Overall, Orlando shot 33.7 percent from the floor.

The Magic’s supporting cast, which was superb at home but limited on the road throughout the series, didn’t collectively do enough offensively. Franz Wagner, uncharacteristically, went 1-for-15 from the field and finished with just six points. Jalen Suggs, who scored 10, went 2-for-13, with eight of those misses coming from downtown. Orlando’s bench, meanwhile, totaled just 21 points.&nbsp;

The Cavs were without center Jarrett Allen for a third straight game with a right rib contusion. Caris LeVert, who’s been bothered by knee pain, came up big and had 15 points. Evan Mobley’s defense played a huge factor as well.

The Magic are now 2-2 all time in Game 7s. It’s also the third time they’ve been part of a playoff series where the home team won all the games. The others were in the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers and in the first round against the Heat in 1997, which was a best-of-five.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Although the loss is fresh, Mosley, Banchero and the rest of the team realize how much progress they made this season, and believe this playoff series against the Cavs will make them even stronger in the long run.

“After those first two games, everyone was looking at us like, oh I don’t know if they are ready and whatever. For us to take this to seven and then have a great first half (in Game 7), and then have them have to fight for every inch to get back in and beat us,” Banchero said. “It shows where we are headed. It shows what we were able to do this year by itself. It’s really encouraging for everybody – players, coaches, whole organization. We are really going to build off this.”

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Paolo Banchero's 38-Point Effort in Game 7

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Orlando Magic’s Season Ends With Game 7 Loss in Cleveland

There are two words that any true sports fan loves to hear: Game Seven.

With both sides facing a do-or-die scenario after competing in a back-and-forth series, the stakes and the emotions are nearly always at an all-time high.

For a young team like the Orlando Magic that will not only face that scenario, but also have to do it on the road, it’s an environment that’s impossible to replicate and an arduous task to take on.

However, the Magic (3-3) are ready to embrace that challenge when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (3-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET for a first-round series Game 7 showdown.

“This is the moment that you play for,” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “(It’s) why you do it. We do it for these moments. So, being on the road, Game 7, the ability to come together, (and) continue to grow in each game, that’s what this group is looking forward to. Lay it all out there. Lay it on the line. One opportunity. These guys will all embrace that, knowing what they’re capable of doing. It’s not going to be easy, nor do we want it to be easy. That’s what this group has always embraced all year long. The harder it is, the better we will be.”

The up-and-coming Magic put their poise on display in Game 6, as they staved off elimination with valiant group effort in a 103-96 home victory. They managed to survive a 50-point effort from Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell by coming up with key stops and clutch plays down the stretch.

“I loved it,” said Magic guard Jalen Suggs, who posted 22 points. “I think all series long we’ve done a great job of staying so poised. We’ve responded to every run they’ve made, every game they’ve won, every punch they’ve thrown and anything they’ve done to try to throw us off of our game (and) knock us off balance. We’ve responded to it, we’ve acknowledged it, and we’ve stayed centered and together. I think (Game 6) was another example of that. It was back and forth all night. We knew that was a game we had to go take, (and) knew we didn’t want to end it here.”

Orlando will have to lean on that experience if it wants to be the first team in this series to win on the road. While the Magic have been sensational at Kia Center, they’ve come up short at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. However, Orlando showed strides on the road in Game 5. And in Game 6, it proved that its group could remain poised in a do-or-die scenario. That gives the Magic confidence going into a critical Game 7.

“Going down 0-2 early (in the series), we figured that if we wanted to win, it would probably have to be in seven,” said Magic All-Star forward Paolo Banchero. “I’m excited. It’s a do-or-die situation. We’re going to have to put together another special effort.”

In an ideal world, that offensive effort would look a lot like Game 6. The Magic’s Banchero, Suggs, and Franz Wagner all put up 22 points or more, and in the process became one of just three trios in NBA history – with each member being under 23 years old – to all score 20-plus points in a single playoff game. Per StatMuse, they join the trios of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, and Durant, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka.

“It’s always cool when you’re mentioned in the same sentence as guys like that,” said Wagner. “The whole group, the whole team, us three, we’re working extremely hard. We like each other. We like to play with each other. So, it’s almost another motivation to keep the season going and (get) another chance to play together. That’s how I looked at it before the game. That said, we have a big one on Sunday. Hopefully, we can do that again.”

Defensively, while the Magic did a great job of defending the 3-point line, they’ll need to be better in Game 7 at limiting the Cavs’ points in the paint. Cleveland outscored Orlando 66-38 in that area in Game 6.

“They have a lot of guys who can shoot, and that’s (what can) hurt us,” said Banchero. “If they got hot behind the three. In Game 5 they hit 13 threes, and we lost by one. So, we wanted to guard the 3-point line. I don’t think our plan (in Game 6) was to give up that many points in the paint. But a three is worth more than two. We know that eventually, we’ll be able to protect that rim.”

KEY STATS:&nbsp;In the Magic’s Game 6 win, Wagner scored 26 points and went a perfect 11-for-11 from the charity stripe. In the process, he set a new team playoff record for most free throws made without a miss.

The old mark was 9-for-9, which was set by Tracy McGrady on Apr. 22, 2001 at Milwaukee.

QUOTE TO NOTE:&nbsp;“That’s super cool. That’s what you work for, not just as an NBA player, but as a little kid. Those are the games you grow up watching. But I just want to win the game. That’s what my main focus is. So, we only have one day to recover and then back to it.” – Wagner on Game 7

IN AND OUT:&nbsp;Both teams’ injury reports are not yet submitted.

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Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers: Game 7 Preview

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Due to Tropical Storm Nicole, the NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic game on Wednesday, November 9 will tip-off at 5:30 PM. Amway Center doors open at 4:30 PM.