After starting the season 5-20, it took until April 4th (game 79 of 82) for the Magic to get eliminated from playoff contention.

The Magic have gone 29-25 since the 5-20 start.

There’s a ton to be optimistic about in Orlando, a likely playoff team next season. https://t.co/JadSJjoaHc

— The Lando (@TheLando__) April 5, 2023

BELIEVE IN MAGIC

After a shaky start, the Orlando Magic rebounded to an inspiring late season run.

In 2023, Orlando’s 29-25 record is good enough for third place in the Southeast Division, and thirteenth overall in the conference. While this sounds lackluster, it kept Orlando’s long-shot playoff hopes alive until the final weeks of the regular season. In fact, the Magic boasted one of the leagues most effective defenses which may have gone unnoticed during the heights of Paolo-mania, and the OnlyFranz era.

With their loss to the Cavs, the Magic only have won game left before the post-season break.

Those commentators that haven’t paid attention to one of the youngest rosters in the league, and discount the strategic acumen of the Weltman / Hammond front office, are beginning to realize something that we already knew:

The Orlando Magic aren’t a bad team at all.