After Saturday’s dominant 121-91 win by the Orlando Magic over the Sacramento Kings, the Magic guaranteed themselves an 83rd game in the NBA postseason. Still battling with the Atlanta Hawks for the Southeastern Division crown and the 7th seed in the NBA Eastern conference; whether that game will be at home or not is to be determined. As the Magic fight for their opportunity to host the right to continue their postseason into the NBA Playoffs, there are several games that Magic fans wish their squad had back that would have solidified their position.

March 4th, 2025 vs. the Toronto Raptors, 114-113

It was bad enough to lose to the Raptors on Sunday, March 2nd, 104-102. But to blow another game to a team that is rebuilding for the second straight time two nights later in a home outing is complete chaos. Magic star Paolo Banchero put up one of his six games of 35 points or more, posting 41, which resulted in one of Orlando’s four losses when that occurred.

As the fifth in a stretch of six losses over seven games at the KIA Center that marked the longest streak of struggle in the house. Just as Magic fans thought it couldn’t get worse, though. . .

March 6th, 2025 vs. the Chicago Bulls, 125-123

After suffering two losses to the Raptors, the pain wasn’t over for Magic fans. Allowing the most points allowed during regulation in a game so far this season, the seemingly hapless Bulls charged through Orlando’s defense. Coby White gave the Magic the horns, dropping 44 points.

It also wasted a team performance for Orlando that featured all five starters in double digits. Cole Anthony posted 20 points, matching Banchero’s total for that night, while Kentaveous Caldwell-Pope dropped a season-high 19. Pope’s total was higher than Fraz Wagner’s 18 and Wendell Carter Jr.’s 17. That was the low point of the Magic’s season after the All-Star break.

December 26th, 2024 vs. the Miami Heat, 89-88

At this point, Jimmy Butler was still on the Heat roster, but the drama leading up to his eventual departure to the Golden State Warriors was in full swing, which is why Butler didn’t play. The characteristically tenacious Magic defense was doing what they do: holding Bam Adebayo to only four points in 35 minutes of play while securing an 11-point halftime lead, 52-41.

However, the notorious Orlando three-point shouting woes turned their ugly head. Finishing the game with five shots beyond the arc made out their 29 attempts; two of those shots came in the fourth quarter during a second half where they missed 14 of their 16 attempts.

What makes this game particularly painful isn’t just its impact on the division and conference record. It’s how close the Heat were to finishing that game with only 14 three-pointers made instead of 15 out of the 30 attempts. Tyler Herro played the role of the Grinch to Magic fans the day after Christmas. According to the beloved holiday cartoon, the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes on Christmas Day.  If that’s true, Herro proved that the Ginch’s blood still runs cold, nonetheless.

For all these missed opportunities, the Magic’s path eases up a bit after Monday’s 96-87 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers as the Magic battle the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and the Washington Wizards on Thursday.