In Friday's game, the Magic suffered a heartbreaking 105-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

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Back from a nine-day break throughout the All-Star Weekend festivities, the Orlando Magic returned to the Kia Center on Thursday night, kicking off a crucial seven-game homestand. But the homecoming didn't go as planned.

In Friday's game, the Magic suffered a heartbreaking 105-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Orlando controlled the game for most of the night, but a blistering 19-0 run by Memphis — fueled by star point guard Ja Morant’s 23 points — turned the tide late in the second half.

Offensively, the Magic struggled to find a rhythm, especially early in the game. By the end of the first half, they were shooting 22% from three-point range and 38.3% from the field. Paolo Banchero went 0-6 from the floor before halftime, with his only points coming from a pair of free throws. But the 22-year-old came out strong after the break, finishing with 21 points — a reminder that even after a rough start, he can still get hot quickly.

Franz Wagner led Orlando with 25 points, adding five rebounds and three assists. Cole Anthony flirted with a triple-double, contributing 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists — an all-around effort that kept the Magic in the fight until the final buzzer.

Despite the loss, there was a silver lining for the Magic's defense. The Grizzlies are the NBA’s highest-scoring team, so being held below their season average is a testament to Orlando's grit on that end of the floor.


During the All-Star break, rookies Anthony Black and Tristan Da Silva recently showcased their potential while representing the Magic in the NBA’s Rising Stars game. Both players saw action in tonight's game, with Da Silva scoring eight points while Black brought down six rebounds and dished out two assists.

What's Next?

While seven straight games at the Kia Center offer a chance to build momentum, the Magic will have to find a way to close out these late-game situations if they hope to secure a coveted playoff spot. Next up? A showdown with the Washington Wizards on February 23rd at 6 p.m. ET — a prime opportunity for Orlando to bounce back and tap into the home court advantage.

As the end of the season approaches, injuries are still a major concern for the Magic. Jalen Suggs has missed 21 out of his last 22 games, while Jonathan Isaac was sidelined with an illness, which left Wendell Carter Jr. to carry the bulk of the load at center.

For now, the Magic remain in a familiar place — flashes of brilliance, followed by some growing pains.