Before the Magic faced the Hornets at the Kia Center on Friday evening, coach Jamahl Mosley noted that Charlotte’s 10-20 record didn’t reflect their potential.
Mosley emphasized that Orlando needed to focus on the details to achieve a good result in their second matchup against this Southeast Division rival.
The Magic fell behind by as much as 15 points in the first half and later by 24 in the third quarter, ultimately losing to Charlotte 120-105, while being outrebounded 53-42 and allowing 25 second-chance points.
“They kicked our butts,” Mosley remarked following the 15-point defeat. “There’s no other way to put it.”
Charlotte (11-20) featured seven players scoring in double figures, including LaMelo Ball with 22 points, while shooting 48.7% from beyond the arc. In contrast, Orlando struggled, finishing 31.4% from three-point territory, with little success offensively and unable to generate crucial defensive stops.
The Magic (17-14) will return to the Kia Center on Saturday for a back-to-back game against MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, who previously defeated Orlando by 11 points on December 18.
“We have a chance to learn tomorrow against a good team, but tonight, Charlotte came in here and outplayed us,” Mosley stated. “They wanted it more, and that made the difference.”
Starting 5
Playing without Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain) and Jalen Suggs (left hip bruise), the Magic’s starting lineup included Tyus Jones, Anthony Black, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, and Wendell Carter Jr. (16 points). Black, who had been on a scoring streak, recorded 15 points in the first half, hitting his first three three-pointers, and finished with 24 points in 36 minutes.
Second Unit
Tristan da Silva returned from injury and quickly made an impact, scoring 8 points in the first half, but ultimately, Orlando’s bench was outscored by Charlotte’s 41-29. Reserve center Goga Bitadze missed his second consecutive game due to a left knee strain.
Magic’s Charitable Efforts
During halftime, the Magic unexpectedly gifted a local family a variety of items as part of NBA Cares Season of Giving. This included a new 2026 Kia Sorento EX, $5,000 for home furnishings, meals from Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks for a year, and more, marking the 17th consecutive year they’ve hosted a family for “The Big Give.”
Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]
