The Orlando Magic faced a tough challenge Sunday night at the Kia Center, where they went up against the Denver Nuggets, led by the dynamic Nikola Jokić, a three-time NBA MVP. With the Magic still missing three starters and a handful of key reserves, the margin for error was razor-thin. This was a game where every misstep would be magnified. And that’s exactly what Orlando learned the hard way in their 113-100 defeat.
Despite the absences, Orlando kept it close in the first half. The Magic led by one point after the first quarter and trailed by just two at halftime, showing some resilience. However, the third quarter was where things unraveled. Denver outscored Orlando 39-25 in the period, and the Nuggets’ lead ballooned to as much as 24 points at one stage. It was a tough blow for Jamahl Mosley’s squad, who were hoping to stay competitive despite their injuries.
Injury Woes Continue for Orlando
Orlando’s roster was significantly shorthanded, as they were still without several key players. Forward Franz Wagner, who’s in the middle of his return-to-competition reconditioning, was missing, along with guard Jalen Suggs (who’s dealing with a low back strain), and center Goga Bitadze, who was in concussion protocol. The Magic also missed the services of guard Gary Harris (sidelined with a left hamstring strain) and second-year player Jett Howard (who’s out with a left ankle sprain). Adding to the team’s woes was the long-term absence of Moe Wagner, whose season ended early with a left ACL tear.
This loss marked Orlando’s third consecutive defeat and their fifth in the last six games. The defeat pushed the Magic to a 23-21 record, while the Nuggets improved to 26-16, earning their second win in as many games after a victory over the Miami Heat on Friday. For Denver, it was also their sixth win in the last seven games, continuing their strong performance as they cruise through the season.
A Night of Struggles and Missed Opportunities
In terms of starting lineups, Coach Mosley stuck with the same five for the third straight game. Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, rookie Tristan Da Silva, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr. made up the starting five. It was a notable night for Caldwell-Pope, who faced his former team. The veteran guard, who had won one of his two NBA titles with Denver, came out firing. He hit his first jump shot and followed that up with a 3-pointer to notch seven points in the first quarter. However, his shooting took a downturn, finishing 4-of-14 from the field with just 12 points.
Banchero, making his fifth appearance after missing over two months due to a torn right abdominal muscle, had a rocky night as well. Despite getting plenty of shots off—17 in total—he struggled to find his rhythm and finished the game with just 10 points on 4-of-17 shooting. Although he played 29 minutes, his impact was muted as he was unable to capitalize on many of his opportunities.
Anthony, too, found himself on the wrong side of the shooting ledger. He had a rough shooting night, finishing just 4-of-13 from the field. While he remained aggressive throughout the game, scoring a couple of quick baskets right out of halftime, he ended with a modest nine points.
On a more positive note, Wendell Carter Jr. continued his strong play, especially around the rim. Carter recorded his second double-double in the last three games, finishing with 16 points and 14 rebounds in 34 minutes. His hustle and physical presence down low were some of the few bright spots for the Magic in an otherwise difficult game.
Defensive Struggles and Paint Domination
One of the bright spots for Orlando in this game was their defense on the perimeter. Denver, entering the game with the league’s third-best 3-point shooting percentage at 38.5%, was kept in check. The Nuggets finished 7-of-25 (28%) from beyond the arc, which was a solid defensive effort by the Magic. However, Orlando's lack of size and depth was exposed in the paint, as the Nuggets dominated that area of the game.
Despite struggling from long range, Denver’s ability to control the paint was a decisive factor. The Nuggets outscored the Magic 52-42 in the key, taking full advantage of Orlando’s undersized lineup. The absence of key players like Bitadze and Wagner only amplified Orlando’s difficulties in defending the rim.
Rookie Watch: Da Silva’s Resilience
Rookie Tristan Da Silva had a bit of a bounce-back game after scoring just five points combined in the last three contests. Da Silva showed some promise by knocking down a couple of 3-pointers and attacking the rim with confidence. He finished the night with 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 29 minutes. But his performance wasn’t without incident.
Late in the second quarter, Da Silva was hit in the head by a blocked shot from Denver’s Peyton Watson. The blow caused a small cut above his right eye, and while there was no foul called on the play, Da Silva was forced to leave the game briefly to receive medical attention. The rookie came back with stitches and a bandage covering his injury, but that didn’t seem to bother him. He was back in action quickly, cutting to the basket for a dunk in the third quarter and hitting another 3-pointer later on. His resilience in the face of injury was a highlight for the Magic, even in the tough loss.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Road Trip
As the Magic now sit at 23-21, they will head north for a tough matchup against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. The loss to Denver only added to the mounting frustrations for Orlando, but they will need to regroup quickly as they face another formidable opponent on the road. With so many key players sidelined, the Magic will need to find new ways to step up and get back into the win column.
While the Magic are clearly dealing with a difficult stretch, there were still some positive takeaways from the game. Despite the injuries, they fought hard and stayed competitive for most of the game. Moving forward, they will need to find ways to better execute on both ends of the floor, especially when it comes to rebounding and protecting the paint.
In the meantime, it’s clear that the Magic’s journey will continue to be a challenging one. But with young talents like Banchero, Anthony, and Da Silva, there is potential for growth, even if the road ahead seems tough. As the team heads into the next phase of their season, fans will be hoping that their injuries clear up soon, and the squad can return to full strength for a stronger push toward the playoffs.
Login