The Orlando Magic head into the new year waiting for their two best players to return. In the meantime, they’ll try to hold onto their tenuous lead in the Southeast Division.
The Magic emerged from 2024 with 20 wins this season despite major oblique injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. They’ll try to get 2025 off to a good start when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
Banchero, who is ramping up his on-court activities, has only played five games. Wagner has been sidelined since Dec. 6.
Wagner’s brother and top reserve, Moritz Wagner, is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL. Lead guard Jalen Suggs departed Sunday’s 102-101 win over Brooklyn in the second quarter due to a right wrist sprain.
That’s all four of Orlando’s double-digit scorers. Yet the Magic have maintained the best record in their division over their closest challengers, Atlanta and Miami.
“It speaks so much to the resiliency of our guys, the grit of our guys (and) the preparation of the coaching staff,” coach Jamahl Mosley said.
Orlando has gotten a boost from rookie forward Tristan da Silva, who has averaged 14.3 points over the last seven games. He had a team-high 21 points against the Nets.
Suggs is probable for Wednesday, but if he ends up sitting, Cole Anthony and Cory Joseph will likely absorb his minutes.
“We have enough — no matter who’s on the floor,” Mosley said. “We know how we’re going to defend. We know how we’re going to communicate. We know how we’re going to keep fighting.”
The Pistons are coming off a productive 3-1 road trip. They collected victories over Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento before falling to Denver.
That 134-121 loss didn’t dim the optimism surrounding the team. The Pistons have already matched their win total from last season.
“Overall the road trip was really good for this group,” first-year head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.
Unlike the Magic, the Pistons haven’t suffered any major injuries. That has allowed Bickerstaff to build some continuity and establish a rotation.
Everything revolves around Cade Cunningham (24.0 points, 9.7 assists, 6.7 rebounds). Cunningham was limited to 17 points against the Nuggets but averaged 27 points and 11 assists in the three road wins.
“It’s a lot of different things,” center Jalen Duren told the Detroit Free Press. “Obviously a new coaching staff, new leaders in the organization, got some good vets in. Good talent. We’re growing up as a team. Guys who have been here are getting older and more experience in the league. You put that all together, it’s a recipe for success. Just got to keep going.”
The top addition has been reserve guard Malik Beasley, a candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Beasley is averaging 21.5 points in the last six games and 16.7 points for the season.
This is the second of three meetings between the Magic and Pistons. In the first matchup, the Wagner brothers combined for 48 points in a 111-100 Orlando victory on Nov. 23.
