The Orlando Magic have fired head coach Jamahl Mosley. 

This comes after the Game 7 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Magic were up in the series 3-1 before losing the next three games.

Mosley was hired in the 2021 offseason following Steve Clifford’s firing. The Magic went 22-60 in his first season. Cole Anthony was their leading scorer with 16 points per game.

The Magic’s poor record in 2021-22 got them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. They selected Paolo Banchero with this pick. Banchero won Rookie of the Year in 2023 while averaging 20 points per game. The Magic improved to 34 wins. 

By 2023-24, Mosley had established the Magic as a defensive-minded team. The Magic ranked No. 4 in defense that season. Banchero’s scoring average went up to 22.6, leading to him making the All-Star Game. The Magic won 47 games and finished with the No. 5 seed. 

The 2024-25 season was filled with injuries for the Magic. Banchero played just 46 games, and Franz Wagner just 60. The Magic won 41 games and finished with the No. 7 seed. 

In the 2025 offseason, the Magic traded for Desmond Bane. Although the Magic had played good defense under Mosley, they had lacked offense. Bane averaged just 16 points from October 2025 through January 2026. However, his point-per-game average increased to 21 from February to April. The Magic won 45 games and finished with the No. 8 seed. 

The Magic didn’t finish in the top 10 defensively. Although their offense was better than in the past two seasons, they were still in the bottom half of the league.

USA TODAY reported that Billy Donovan is a candidate to be the next head coach of the Magic. Donovan was nearly hired by the Magic in 2007 before returning to coach Florida.

Charlotte’s 2025-2026 season came to an end last Friday after the Magic used an all-out performance to handle them.

Orlando cruised to a 121-90 win after their defense played lights out – the Magic forced 14 first-half turnovers and scored 22 points off of those turnovers. Orlando scored 24 fast-break points, meaning that they didn’t miss chances to dominate offensively. Forward Paolo Banchero scored 25 points, totaled six assists and grabbed five rebounds to contribute to his team’s performance. The Magic went on a 26-6 run that stretched from the middle of the first quarter to the beginning of the second, burying Charlotte in a deep hole that they never climbed out of.

Their 31-point win marked the largest margin of victory in an NBA play-in game.

After acquiring Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies last offseason, Orlando hoped to be a contender in the Eastern Conference. This aspiration became a pipe-dream after Franz Wagner missed 48 games due to a severe left high ankle sprain. Friday’s win proved that Orlando was playing with a chip on their shoulder.

“When you play with a sense of desperation and urgency, when you know you’re either going home or extending your season, that’s what it looks like,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “There are no second chances.”

Charlotte experienced quite the roller coaster season; they entered January at an 11-22 record, putting them 12th place in the Eastern Conference. A second-half surge propelled Charlotte to the tenth seed and a 44-38 record. The Hornets defeated the Heat in overtime in the nine-ten play-in game last Tuesday due to some late-game heroics. LaMelo Ball made the game-winning layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime, while Miles Bridges sealed the win after blocking a layup from Davion Mitchell at the buzzer. Ball dropped 30 points and tallied ten assists, while Miles Bridges scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

The Magic will face the Pistons in Game One of their first round series on Sunday. In order for Orlando to make things interesting, they would need to have similar performances. “There’s a physicality to this game that’s going to be real,” Mosley said of both teams’ playing style. “There’s going to be a lot of aggression. There’s going to be a lot of physicality. It’s going to be a dogfight.”

Detroit finished 60-22 on the season and are looking for their first playoff series win since the 2007-2008 playoffs.

The Orlando Magic and star Paolo Banchero have agreed to terms on a five-year, $239 million maximum rookie contract extension worth up to $287 million, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday.

Banchero’s new deal includes a player option for 2030-31, making it the first time a rookie maximum contract extension has included the option since 2021, when Luka Doncic and Trae Young both had it included in their deals.

The 22-year-old could reach a supermax contract if he achieves at least one of these milestones next season: All-NBA team, All-Defensive team, MVP or Defensive Player of the Year honors.

The forward was entering the final year of his rookie contract after the Magic selected him as the No. 1 pick in 2022.

Banchero posted career-high averages of 25.9 points and 7.5 rebounds this past season. He missed 34 contests because of an oblique injury, but still showed out when healthy.

Banchero has already made a lasting impact on the Magic franchise, only three seasons deep. He’s already scored 4,432 career points, and his career average of 22.4 points per game ranks third in Magic history behind only Tracy McGrady and Shaquille O’Neal — not bad company there. He was also named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year during the 2022-23 season.

The Magic now have their core of Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs under contract for the next five years, as well as newly acquired Desmond Bane under contract through the 2028-29 season.

“This commitment reflects our belief in Paolo’s talent, character and desire to win at the highest level,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said in a statement. “It also reflects Paolo’s belief in our organization, our fans and the city of Orlando. We are excited to continue this journey.

A pump fake is supposed to be utilized to create an opportunity on offense or to make a shot easier for yourself. They’re certainly not supposed to be used on referees. The NBA said, “he was making a mockery of the game.”

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was ejected late in the Hawks’ play-in game against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Following a made basket by Young, he rocketed a pass toward referee James Williams, leading to his first technical of the night. He followed up his rocketed pass by kicking the ball, pump faking Williams and refusing to give him the ball.

That action led to his second technical and likely a fine.

Frustrations boiled over for Young, as the Hawks fell 120-95. The Magic controlled the game throughout, never losing the lead after the first quarter. A run by the Hawks cut the lead down to three late in the third, only for the Magic to respond with a dominant fourth quarter.

Young finished with 28 points on 8-21 shooting and six assists. He was the Hawks’ leading scorer.

When asked about his actions, Young was clear on why his emotions boiled over.

“Sometimes when I take my frustration out on the refs, it’s not just for me,” Young said. “If you see a foul, you should call a foul. That’s pretty much all it was for me.”

With the loss to the Magic, the Hawks will play the winner of the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat on Friday. The Hawks need to win that game to stay in the playoffs.

The Magic will play the defending champion Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, where the Celtics will be heavy favorites.

The Orlando Magic dipped into free agency for veteran leadership. Two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left the Denver Nuggets and joined the Magic on a three-year $66 million deal. Orlando earned a five-seed in the NBA playoffs this season after Paolo Banchero took off in his second year in the league. Banchero lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games, but with an arms race in the Eastern Conference, the Magic made their move.

Caldwell-Pope spent two years with the Nuggets, winning a championship in his first season with the team. He averaged just over ten points a game in 2023-24 but made his impact with defense and leadership as he recorded 1.3 steals and 0.6 blockers per game. Denver faces a cap crunch and let go of Bruce Brown last offseason even after he became a crucial cog in their championship run. Caldwell-Pope, forced to move on, left for greener pastures as he inks the largest contract of his career. The 11-year veteran out of Georgia travels to his fifth team. He started his career with the Detroit Pistons and spent one season in Washington.

Las Vegas loves this signing, as shown by the Magic’s odds moving down from +7000 to +5000, according to FanDuel. Banchero proved he could be a go-to scorer in the playoffs, and the young core of Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs has improved after each season. Although they missed out on Paul George, Orlando still has plenty of cap space to make another move.

According to Spotrac, they own the fifth most cap space in the NBA and could make their way toward max cap space with a few moves. The team benefits from Banchero and Wagener, who are still on cheap rookie contracts, so their window is now. Orlando has never won an NBA championship in their franchise history, and their playoff appearance in 2024 was their first in three seasons.

The National Basketball Players Association released a statement Thursday to address the Orlando Magic’s $50,000 donation to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign. The players union stressed that the organization’s support for the conservative politician did not reflect the opinions of the players.

The donation was sent in May by the Magic organization to a super PAC, Never Back Down Inc., which raised $97 million for DeSantis in June. It is strange for teams to donate directly to political campaigns, though owners do individually donate millions each year.

“NBA governors, players and personnel have the right to express their personal political views, including through donations and statements,” the statement said. “However, if contributions are made on behalf of an entire team, using money earned through the labor of its employees, it is incumbent upon the team governors to consider the diverse values and perspectives of staff and players. The Magic’s donation does not represent player support for the recipient.”

The DeVos family, which has owned the Magic since 2011, defended the donation through the team, arguing that it was made before DeSantis announced his campaign. The family has made donations going back to DeSantis’ days as U.S. representative, when Richard DeVos, the late co-founder of Amway, made donations before his death in 2018. Betsy DeVos, the wife of Richard’s son Dick DeVos, served in former President Donald Trump’s cabinet as the secretary of education.

“This gift was given before Governor DeSantis entered the presidential race,” a DeVos family spokesperson said in a statement to USA Today. “It was given as a Florida business in support of a Florida governor for the continued prosperity of Central Florida.”

No players on the Magic have commented on the donation, but Pelicans player Larry Nance Jr. expressed disapproval on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“So the (Orlando Magic) who have a majority black roster, a black head coach, and a black GM decided it was a good idea to support a man that claims that slavery had personal benefits for the enslaved?” Nance wrote.

During his tenure as governor in Florida, DeSantis has enacted conservative legislation around an “anti-woke” agenda. He has limited discussion of a number of social issues in schools, loosened gun control laws, fought against perceived censorship of conservative voices in the media and butted heads with Disney in order to weaken its influence in the Orlando area.

Bol Bol is now a free agent after clearing waivers, as the Orlando Magic declined to guarantee his contract. The Magic traded for Bol in February 2022, and re-signed him during the 2022 offseason, as the contract included a non-guaranteed salary for 2023 into 2024. The 23-year-old inked a two-year, $4.4 million deal and will have to find another team, as it would be his third team in his NBA tenure.

The 7’2″ center forward should have plenty of interest on the market, as a few teams stand out as candidates to bring in the South Sudanese big man.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are two teams that have needs at those spots. Other teams that also could use a young big man are the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, and the OKC Thunder.

But the Phoenix Suns, who are looking to make a serious championship run next year, make the most sense and seem the most interested in the former 2019 second-round pick from Oregon. According to Shams Charania, NBA Insider from The Athletic and Stadium, Bol could be joining the likes of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and recently acquired Bradley Beal.

Bol was drafted by the Miami Heat, who then sent over his draft rights to the Nuggets back in 2019, where he spent three seasons in Denver. Three years later, Bol was involved in the three-way trade with the Spurs and the Celtics. However, before even debuting in Boston, he was sent to the Magic, as he had his best statistical season before getting cut from the team on July 4th.

Orlando decided to exercise options on Gary Harris and Markelle Fultz prior to free agency but decided to not do the same with Bol.

He averaged 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block in 21.5 minutes, starting in 33 games out of the 70 Bol appeared in for the Magic last season. Orlando agreed with Bol to have his guarantee date pushed back, but it ultimately led to the release of the center forward.

Bol was healthier and more consistent for Orlando, as his 1,505 minutes played more than tripled his career total minutes (328) that he played in his first three years in the NBA. His season overall, despite making 32 consecutive starts, still had its highs and lows. Bol came off the bench for a few games from mid-January through mid-March but was out of the rotation completely for seven games before closing the season back on the court.

Still, Bol was a fan favorite at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. In his high school recruiting cycle back in 2018, the big man from Sudan was considered a 5-star prospect and after a rough start with the Nuggets, he displayed his talent with the Magic this past year as one of the taller players in the NBA.

It shouldn’t be long before Bol finds his third new team entering year five of his young NBA career.

Orlando Magic power forward Paolo Banchero put on a show in his debut Wednesday night, scoring 27 points with nine rebounds and five assists in a losing effort to the Detroit Pistons. The 19-year-old first-overall pick became the first player since LeBron James to earn a 25-5-5 in his first regular season game.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1583072482176557057?s=20&t=ylK8zkjOrB9qO-d6L7LWGw

Coming out of Duke last season, many experts viewed Banchero as the best prospect in his draft class, having scored 17.2 points per game for the Blue Devils despite playing through a medical condition that made him sweat profusely and lose up to seven pounds per game. The Magic selected him first overall in a decision that seems rewarding thus far.

Banchero’s debut, in which he played for 35 minutes, began quickly in the first quarter when he scored the Magic’s first two baskets of the game. For a player with severe stamina issues in college, it was encouraging to see him finish well, as he scored 13 points in the fourth quarter in the midst of a failed Orlando comeback bid. He went 11-for-18 over the course of the game and five-for-seven on free throws.

Following the game, the promising teen said he was happy about his performance but expressed a greater desire to win.

“It means a lot, I guess,” Banchero said. “Obviously, would have liked to win. But I just wanted to play hard, play for the team, and that happened, so it’s a blessing.”

The Magic are coming off a 22-60 regular season last year and expectations remain extremely low in 2022-23. More than anything, this season could be an opportunity for Banchero, along with a slew of other young stars, to develop and mature as a team. Only two players on the roster are older than 25.

Following a hot start to the season, other tests lie ahead for Banchero, as the duration of the season and natural growing pains for the team are sure to present new challenges. Following a highly successful debut, however, his potential is now widely understood.

Joel Embiid tied his career high with 50 points—in just 27 minutes—to carry the Philadelphia 76ers to a 123-110 victory over the Orlando Magic Wednesday.

Embiid added 12 rebounds and three blocks while going 17 of 23 from the floor and 15 of 17 from the charity stripe.

“My teammates just found me,” Embiid said. “And I did the rest.”

ESPN research shows that Embiid’s 27:03 of game time ranks as second lowest in a 50-point game in the shot clock era; the Warriors’ Klay Thompson had 52 points on October 29, 2018, in just 26:33 of playing time.

Tobias Harris added 21 for the 76ers, who have won nine of their last 11 games. Mo Bamba set career highs with 32 points and seven three-pointers for Orlando, which dropped to an NBA-worst 8-38 with its third straight defeat and 13th in the last 14 tries.

Philadelphia was booed off the court at halftime, losing 57-47, but a 17-6 run over the first 5:05 of the third stanza gave way to a 64-63 lead.

“You need playmakers in the playoffs, you just do,” Philly coach Doc Rivers said. “You need guys who are going to make plays for themselves and others. And the more you have, the better team you have, the better chance you have.”

Embiid is now averaging 28 points per game.

“With the way he was playing, there was really no way to go get him,” said Jesse Mermuys, Orlando’s acting head coach while Jamahl Mosley remains in health and safety protocols. “He hit fadeaways, step-backs. I mean, he was impressive.”

“It’s all about playing the right way. The ball is always going to find me,” Embiid said. “These guys have a hell of a lot of trust in me, and they’re always looking for me.

“And it doesn’t matter when. In any time of the game, the ball is going to find me.”

The Detroit Pistons earned the first pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, and Ben Wallace was there to represent the franchise. Wallace was recently announced as an inductee to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and is a Pistons legend that helped the team win the 2004 NBA Finals.

The first pick will ensure the Pistons will add another top-level talent to their young team. Just last year, the Pistons took three players in the first round of the draft. It will also be the Pistons’ first top-five selection since 2003 when they took Darko Milicic second overall. It will be Detroit’s first top overall pick since they drafted Hall of Fame center Bob Lanier in 1970.

“Obviously we get to add another wing player to the restoration process,” Detroit’s general manager Troy Weaver said. “We’re excited to be in this position. But it means that we’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’re going to be diligent about it. But it always helps to be able to add the No. 1 pick.”

Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham is expected by many to be the first pick of the draft.

The top three picks of the draft are the Pistons, Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Rockets have entered a rebuilding process after trading away star James Harden to the Nets.

Cleveland has picked fifth each of the past two seasons, but this time they got lucky with the third pick. The Cavaliers are looking to make the playoffs next season with their young core of guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, forward Isaac Okoro and center Jarrett Allen.

The rest of the order is as follows:

• 4. Toronto Raptors
• 5. Orlando Magic
• 6. Oklahoma City Thunder
• 7. Golden State Warriors
• 8. Orlando Magic
• 9. Sacramento Kings
• 10. New Orleans Pelicans
• 11. Charlotte Hornets
• 12. San Antonio Spurs
• 13. Indiana Pacers
• 14. Golden State Warriors

Both the Warriors and Magic have two picks in the lottery.

The Orlando Magic continued its move towards a rebuild by trading Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets. The agreed deal will have Orlando receiving Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton, and Denver’s protected 2025 first-round pick in exchange for Gordon and Gary Clark.

Orlando used the trade deadline to offload players for assets in an effort to rebuild the franchise. The Magic even traded away their best player, Nikola Vucevic, in a separate deal to the Chicago Bulls.

Gordon had asked the team for a trade because the forward was “frustrated” with the team’s performance and direction. “There’s been times where I just expressed my frustration to management,” Gordon said. “Frustration with the losses, the injuries, the way we’ve been playing, and how many losses have accumulated over the years.”

Orlando drafted Gordon in the 2014 NBA Draft with the No. 4 pick. During Gordon’s tenure with the Magic, the team piled up a 203-322 record, only reaching the playoffs twice. In both playoff appearances, Orlando was knocked out in the first round.

Gordon is averaging 14.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season. Denver will benefit greatly from another player who is capable of putting the ball in the hoop. The forward is known for his ability to drive to the rim. Gordon will also bring a strong defensive presence to his new team. Gordon is expected to be named a starter for the Nuggets. He will be a great addition to last year’s Western Conference runner up.

Orlando continues to stockpile future draft picks. They also get a rookie player in the deal in Hampton. Hampton has not see much playing time in Denver, but that will change with his new team. The Magic also got Harris in the deal, who will bring his veteran leadership and defensive ability to a team that sorely lacks both.

Overall, this was a good deal for two franchises going in two very different directions.

The Chicago Bulls have acquired All-Star center Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic ahead of Thursday’s busy NBA trade deadline. The Magic will send Vucevic and Al Farouq Aminu to Chicago for Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., and two first-round picks.

Vucevic’s arrival is important for Chicago’s overall future plans. Chicago has high hopes for the big man and expect him to help lead the team on a playoff run. The Bulls are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference, but they are just three games back from the No. 8 seed in the conference.

The Bulls are currently led by Zach Lavine and Lauri Markkanen. Lavine is currently enjoying a career season, averaging 28.1 points per game and shooting 52 percent from the field. Markkanen is not far behind as he is putting up 17.7 points per game.

Two-time All-Star Vucevic is currently averaging 24.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game this season. The Bulls are hoping that Vucevic, Lavine and Markkanen will be a trio that will make the team a playoff contender for years to come. Furthermore, Vucevic’s scoring will help ease the scoring load that Lavine is currently managing.

On the other hand, the Magic are going into full-blown rebuild mode. Orlando has not had much success since their 2010-11 season in which they won 52 games. Since then, the team has only made the playoffs three times. Even in those three seasons, they failed to win more than 42 games. Just last season, Orlando finished 33-40 and made the playoffs in the pandemic-shortened season.

Orlando will receive Chicago’s 2021 and 2023 first-round picks in the deal. Not only that, but they receive a young player in Carter. Carter was a first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, the big man has not developed well. That is not to say that he will not be a good player, but being on a team that will focus on its young core will surely do wonders for Carter’s playing time and development.

Carter is currently averaging 10.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Markelle Fultz, the number one overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft, posted a triple double of 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Orlando Magic to a thrilling 119-118 victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Orlando’s Aaron Gordon added 21 points, while James posted 19 points and 19 assists in the defeat, though the Lakers were outscored by nine points when he was on the floor.

Los Angeles had been red hot, entering Wednesday’s game riding a nine-game winning streak, but the stellar all-around play of Fultz ensured that Los Angeles would not win its tenth straight. Fultz, who was traded to Orlando from Philadelphia last season, seems to finally be capitalizing on the immense talent which led to his lofty draft position, posting a career-best 11.7 points and 4.6 assists, to go along with 3.4 rebounds per game. Most importantly, the Magic guard has played in 40 of a possible 41 games, after struggling to stay on the court with nagging injuries in his first two campaigns. The Magic’s win pushed their record to 20-21, good for 7th place in the Eastern Conference, which is proving to be more competitive than in years past.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

While the game looked to be a blowout in the making, with Orlando holding as big as a 21 point lead, the Lakers battled their way back into it on the backs of James and guard Quinn Cook, who finished with 22 points, knocking down four three-pointers on seven attempts. With the Magic holding a slim lead late in the 4th quarter, Fultz notched two clutch buckets in the final minute of the game, while James missed a three-pointer that could have tied it for Los Angeles. The loss dropped the Lakers’ record to a still-outstanding 33-8, which is tops in the Western Conference.

While the two teams occupy very different positions in the standings, Orlando managed to pull it out on Wednesday, with Fultz’s career reawakening quickly becoming one the nicest stories to watch in the 2019-20 NBA season.

Even after losing J.J. Redick to the New Orleans Pelicans and probably Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers are not calling it quit on being contenders.

In addition to re-signing forward Tobias Harris to a five-year, $180 million contract, the 76ers have signed former Atlanta Hawk and Boston Celtic, Al Horford, to a four-year, $109 million contract. The 76ers have also begun to open discussions on an extension with All-Star guard, Ben Simmons.

Horford, 33, gives the 76ers a formidable frontcourt duo, alongside fellow All-Star Joel Embiid. Horford’s contract is worth $97 million in guaranteed money and includes $12 million tied to championship incentives.

Horford spent the previous three seasons as a member of the Celtics before opting out of a $12 million player option last week. Last season, Horford averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 36% from three-point range. Horford is an elite defender, as well as an exceptional stretch 4/5, and is a known vocal leader in the locker room. According to ESPN, Horford is one of 10 players in the last 40 years with five All-Star appearances and at least 12 consecutive playoff appearances.

Harris, 26, is now locked in the long-term to be a part of the Sixers young core along with Embiid and Simmons. Harris, the 19th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft out of the University of Tennessee, has had a difficult time finding a permanent home in the NBA throughout his eight-season career. Harris has played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, and now the Philadelphia 76ers. In 27 regular season games for the 76ers last season, Harris averaged 18.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game on 46.9% shooting from the field including 32.6% from three-point range.

For the 76ers, they believe this new core of Simmons, Horford, Embiid, Harris, and possibly Josh Richardson (assuming the trade with the Heat goes through) is good enough to compete for an NBA title for the next several seasons. Considering that practically the same core was within one basket of defeating the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors, there is no reason for the 76ers not to try and compete once again.

The Markelle Fultz era has come to an end in Philadelphia. The Sixers decided to give up on the process, move on, and chase a title now. After a fantastic season at the University of Washington, Philly was so enamored with the prospect that they traded their 2017 pick and a 2018 Los Angeles Lakers pick to move up two spots to no. 1 and ensure that they grabbed him.

But when the NBA season began something was off. Yes, Philly sat out their share of rookies during “The Process.” Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid missed all of their first seasons in the league. But Fultz felt different, something was off. It wasn’t just that his health left him but that his skill did too. After missing his rookie season, playing in 19 games last season, and then just 14 this year, he was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome once he found a specialist who’d diagnose it.

There were times he gave Sixers fans hope like this.

But cheering a no. 1 overall pick for making a simple shot isn’t a great sign.

There were times he terrified fans, seemingly forgetting how to function. I’ve never seen any other player pump fake on a free throw.

Fultz became a blank canvas while he was in Philly. If you believed in him, you found that the TOS was an injury he could overcome, that his positive attitude on the bench was a sign he was still involved and that he’d only make this Sixers team better. If you didn’t, you didn’t. The TOS was an injury that he had to hunt through a handful of doctors in order to get a diagnosis, his attitude on the bench was him just happy to scrape by, and the Sixers had wasted a pick on him.

Maybe Philly wasn’t right for Fultz. The Orlando Magic seem to believe so. Giving up Jonathon Simmons, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick indicate it. In Orlando, he’ll find much less pressure as he tries to become the player the Sixers believed he could be. But in Orlando, he misses a shot at a championship.

Zach LaVine made his much-anticipated debut with the Chicago Bulls last month, and since then the guard has impressed substantially.

Zach LaVine dunk vs. Magic video

On Monday night, the 22-year-old former first-round pick made a key steal and scored a major basket in the dying seconds of his team’s 105-101 home victory over the Orlando Magic. With 15 seconds remaining in the contest, LaVine knocked away Jonathon Simmons’ inbounds pass and took it the other way to thrown down a dunk and give the Bulls a 103-101 lead.

LaVine tore his ACL in February 2017 but since returning in January, he has proved to be a major asset for the Bulls. He was averaging 17.3 points per game entering Monday night. He scored in double figures in 10 of the 13 games that he has played this season that includes setting a career-high streak of four consecutive games with at least 20 points topped by a season-high 35 points in the win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, his former team.

The Bulls could thus build their team around LaVine, promising rookie forward Lauri Markkanen and second-year guard Kris Dunn if they really wanted to.

LaVine played his first three NBA seasons with the Timberwolves after being drafted 13th overall out of UCLA in 2014. His rookie year, he won the league’s Slam Dunk Contest, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

The point guard won the Dunk Contest again in 2016, thus becoming the fourth NBA player to win the competition in consecutive years. LaVine was also the NBA Rising Stars Challenge MVP in 2016.

Caption:NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 14: Zach LaVine #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves competes during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at Barclays Center on February 14, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

James Harden scored a whopping 60 points Tuesday night to bring his stats to a whole new level and break the Houston Rockets’ single-game scoring record in a 114-107 home victory over the Orlando Magic.

James Harden STATS: Harden sets rockets scoring record

Harden’s amazing numbers don’t end there: he also became the first player in NBA history to record 60 points as part of a triple-double. The six-time All-Star eclipsed the 57 points Rockets star Calvin Murphy scored in 1978.

The veteran guard had 18 points in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer with 45 seconds remaining that put Houston up 112-107. Harden made 17 of 18 free throws and was 19 of 30 from the floor with five three-pointers, and has three triple-doubles this season.

“I have never seen a performance like that,” said Harden’s teammate Gerald Green. “I caught myself just being a true fan throughout the whole game. … What he did today was remarkable.”

The Rockets started the game without Chris Paul, who is suffering from a sore groin, and Trevor Ariza, who is battling a strained hamstring. Eric Gordon — who is second on the team in scoring with 19.5 points per game — left early in the second quarter with lower back stiffness.

Harden played a season-high 46 minutes and 26 seconds. The 28-year-old boasts four 50-plus-point games this season. His previous career high was 56 points, which he set against Utah in November.

“I just gave it all I had tonight,” Harden said after Tuesday’s game. “We all did. We all fought for 48 minutes, we got key stops when we needed to and we made big shots.”

The Magic led 55-54 at halftime.

The Rockets (36-13, second in Western Conference) next visit San Antonio on Thursday night, while Orlando will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 27: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets brings the ball up the court against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on October 27, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a great night on Wednesday, and Russell Westbrook in particular delivered a spectacular performance: he scored 57 points — the most in a triple-double in NBA history — 13 rebounds and 11 assists to lead his team to a 114-106 overtime victory over the Magic in Orlando.

Russell Westbrook Breaks NBA Record for Points, gets 38th triple-double

Westbrook, a top MVP candidate, led Oklahoma City to their biggest comeback in franchise history, pushing the Thunder from a 21-point deficit in the second half as he recorded his 38th triple-double of this season.

The 28-year-old point guard — the fourth overall pick in 2008— scored 36 of his 57 points after halftime, 19 of those in the fourth quarter and also sank the game-tying 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds left to force overtime. On Monday night, Westbrook went on a 13-point run in the last three minutes to secure a comeback win over the Dallas Mavericks.

“I always say this about him, he never believes he is out of it or we’re out of it,” said Thunder coach Billy Donovan, whose team improved to 43-31. “And he plays with an incredible competitive spirit. He plays with an unbelievable spirt. He always has a huge heart, he’s always a huge competitor and he finds ways to make things happen.

“Overall, it’s incredible what he is doing.”

Wesbrook, who also scored seven of the Thunder’s 12 points in overtime, thanked God and his teammates for his success.

“I’m very thankful to the man above for allowing me to play the game I love,” Westbrook, who finished one point shy of tying his career high. “And my teammates make it easy for me and give me a lot of opportunities to make plays like this.”

Although he wasn’t playing on his home court, the veteran point guard still garnered much praise from the crowd at Amway Center, who began chanting “MVP! MVP! MVP!” late in the fourth quarter.

“Words really can’t describe it,” OKC guard Victor Oladipo said of Westbrook’s performance this season. “It’s just an honor to be able to play alongside him. It’s amazing to watch him and it’s good for me to watch, too.”

Enes Kanter added 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for Oklahoma City, while Oladipo contributed 13 points in his first return to Orlando since being traded by the Magic last June.

The Thunder (43-31, 6th in Western Conference) have now clinched a playoff spot in the West. They are 2.5 games out of the coveted fourth-place spot. Through the first 73 games of the season, Westbrook averaged 31.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.4 assists, which is second in NBA history to Oscar Robertson through the first 70 games of a season.

Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross led the Magic with 24 and 23 points respectively. The top four teams are guaranteed home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Orlando (27-48, 14th in Eastern Conference), meanwhile, was eliminated from the East playoffs after Detroit lost to Miami on Tuesday night. The Magic have now missed the postseason for five consecutive years. Team founder Jimmy Hewitt was inducted into Orlando Magic Hall of Fame before Wednesday night’s game. … Forward Jeff Green missed his fourth straight game due to back spasms. He is listed as day-to-day.

The Thunder next begin a three-game home-stand against San Antonio on Friday.

The Magic next begin a three-game road trip in Boston on Friday. The Celtics have beat Orlando by 30 points in each of their first two meetings this season.

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles up court against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2016 in New York City.

The Orlando Magic on Tuesday agreed to send power forward Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for small forward Terrence Ross and a first-round pick from this year’s draft.

Serge Ibaka Traded to Raptors For Terrence Ross and First-Round Pick

The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the trade.

Ibaka was acquired by Orlando in an offseason trade for Victor Oladipo, who now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 27-year-old Congolese-Spanish player is in the final year of his contract, and has started 56 of the Magic’s 57 games this season. He is second on he team with 15.1 points per game. He is also averaging 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Ibaka has also improved his shooting, with career-high percentages from both the foul line and the 3-point line.

Ross, meanwhile, has played 53 games off the bench for the Raptors this season, averaging 10.4 points in 22.4 minutes per game.

A little over a month into the season, Ibaka had already understood the downside of attaining what you want, as he struggled to carry the Magic through yet another dismal year.

“I knew in the beginning it wouldn’t be easy,” Ibaka told The Vertical in December. “I’m understanding everything is not perfect right away. I’ve been in a worse situation before than this.”

Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri has pursued the big man for years, and even tried to steal him from the Thunder last season.

 NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 02: Serge Ibaka #7 of the Orlando Magic reacts to a missed shot in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 2, 2017 in New York City.

Following their NBA Championship win in June, the Cleveland Cavaliers have started their preseason on a good note.

Cavaliers Open Preseason With 117-102 Win Over Magic

Thanks to help from several of their young guards, the Cavs defeated the Orlando Magic 117-102 at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday night, leading by 26 at the half.

After sitting out the Wine and Gold Scrimmage on Sunday afternoon, LeBron James got the start against Orlando and, in only 13 minutes of total playing time, led both teams with six assists and seven points, as well as a pair of boards.

Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said he plans to keep James’ playing time during the preseason to a minimum. Lue also rested Kyre Irving, while Tristan Thompson sat out with a stiff left foot. In Irving’s place– as the Cavaliers coaching staff attempts to fill the backup point guard spot–Lue turned to defensive specialist and Camp invitee, DeAndre Liggins. 

Liggins had a strong game on both ends– he finished with six points, three assists and a steal in 25 minutes of play.

Jordan McRae led both teams with 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting, including 2-of-3 from long-range to go with seven rebounds and five assists. McRael also delivered what was perhaps the play of the night. He sunk an impressive, two-handed dunk in Bismack Biyombo’s face halfway through the third quarter as Cleveland’s bench erupted to cheer on the nimble sophomore combo guard.

”During the regular season, it’s not going to be my job to score,” said McRae. “Bron and Ky – those are going to be the guys that we rely upon. If I’m able to knock down some open shots and get in a flow when I can, then I will.”

The Cavs’ only rookie, 21-year-old point guard Kay Felder, also amazed on Wednesday. Felder, who led the country in assists last year as a junior with Oakland, had 14 points on 7-for-11 shooting– adding four boards, two assists and a pair of steals.

“I think Jordan’s ability to score the basketball and get to the free throw line and Kay’s speed,” praised Lue. “There’s no substitution for speed. (Kay) can get to the basket, turn the corner, get in the paint and make the right pass or the right play. Having those two young guys added to our old mix is pretty good for us.”

Jeff Green scored 19 points to pace the Magic in their second game under coach Frank Vogel. : Mario Hezonja scored 17 and Evan Fournier added 14.

Felder and McRae weren’t the only reserves who shined, however. Rookie Jonathan Holmes added 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting and young veteran Cory Jefferson led both teams with 11 boards in just 21 minutes of play.

Overall, Cleveland shot 53 percent from the floor and compiled 30 assists on 42 completed shots, 13 of which came from beyond the arc– where the reigning NBA champions finished 13-of-27 on the night.

The Cavaliers will next host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, while the Magic will host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 5: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of a preseason game at Quicken Loans Arena on October 5, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.