The Orlando Magic have made notable progress this season, but not quite enough to break through as a true contender in the Eastern Conference—at least not yet. Still, they’ve officially clinched a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and with a chance to secure home-court advantage, the team is gearing up for a strong postseason push led by rising star Paolo Banchero.
Speaking to Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Banchero acknowledged the intensity of the moment as the regular season winds down. “It’s really getting close to the end. The position we’re in, every game matters to put ourselves in the best position possible for the postseason,” Banchero said. “Some teams that are at the top or the bottom [of the standings] are resting guys. But we’re the opposite. We’re trying to get every game, doing whatever we can right now.”
With a record of 38–40, Orlando has locked in at least a Play-In spot but remains in a tightly contested race for the No. 7 seed and the chance to host a Play-In game. The Magic hold a one-game lead over the Atlanta Hawks for seventh place in the East, and they sit 2.5 games ahead of the 10th-place Miami Heat.
“I would say the pressure is high,” Banchero admitted. “A couple of losses, you can be in the 10 seed. A couple of wins, you can be in seven, maybe six. So, it’s a lot of pressure, but honestly, it’s the fun part of the season.”
Injuries have tested the Magic
Orlando’s path hasn’t been easy. Injuries have plagued the roster throughout the year, testing the team’s depth and resilience. Banchero himself missed time earlier in the NBA season with a torn oblique. Franz Wagner also sat out an extended stretch with a similar issue, while Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner have both been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Eyes on the play-in
While the Play-In isn’t the ideal route to the postseason, Banchero says the team is locked in—and he’s personally ready for the moment. “My mind is kind of moving towards the Play-In,” he said. “Obviously, that’s not where you want to be, but that’s our reality. So, we will likely end up there, but who knows? But if we do end up there, I’ll be excited, ready to play, ready to get a win.”
With a young core and one of the league’s most dynamic rising stars leading the charge, the Magic may not just be fighting for a spot—they might be ready to make noise once they get in.