Orlando Magic Stun NBA: Inside the Team’s Stunning 2026 Surge

Orlando Magic Look to Rebound in Los Angeles After Double-OT Heartbreaker Paolo Banchero and the surging Orlando Magic land at Crypto.com Arena tonight determined to erase the sting of Saturday’s 113-110 double-overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns, a thriller that ended on Jalen Green’s buzzer-beating three-pointer. The setback snapped a four-game winning streak but did little to dampen league-wide buzz surrounding Orlando’s rapid ascent up the Eastern Conference standings. Playoff Push Intensifies • Record: 34-23 (5th in East) — already nine wins better than last season. • Road Split: 15-12 — including statement victories in Boston and Milwaukee. • Defensive Rating: 2nd in NBA since January 1; Jamahl Mosley’s squad is forcing 15.7 turnovers per game in that span. Key Storylines vs. Clippers 1. Banchero vs. Kawhi Leonard: The reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 26.9 PPG in February and now faces one of the league’s premier two-way wings. Containing Leonard while maintaining his own scoring efficiency (61.4 TS% this month) will be pivotal. 2. Backcourt Health Watch: Orlando listed Jalen Suggs (ankle) and Franz Wagner (knee) as questionable on the final injury report, while Los Angeles will be without Darius Garland (hand) and Bradley Beal (hamstring). A Suggs return would restore Orlando’s top-10 three-point defense. 3. Second-Night Stamina: The Magic are 6-2 on zero-rest games; Mosley often deploys rookie guard Anthony Black early to preserve Cole Anthony’s crunch-time legs. What a Win Means • Clinches season sweep of Clippers and moves Orlando within one game of the No. 4 seed, keeping home-court hopes alive. • Boosts national profile for Banchero’s All-NBA campaign and Mosley’s Coach of the Year candidacy. • Strengthens locker-room belief ahead of a three-game homestand featuring conference rivals Miami and Cleveland. Projected Starting Lineups Magic: Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Paolo Banchero, Jonathan Isaac, Wendell Carter Jr. Clippers: James Harden, Terance Mann, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Ivica Zubac. Tip-off & How to Watch Coverage begins at 10:30 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Florida and NBA League Pass. Local radio: 96.9 FM/740 AM. Fans can stream via the Bally Sports app with a participating TV provider login. SEO Keyword Cluster: Orlando Magic, Orlando Magic vs Clippers, Paolo Banchero, NBA playoff race, Orlando Magic injuries, Orlando Magic defense, Jamahl Mosley. Search-friendly Recap The Orlando Magic enter tonight’s clash with the Los Angeles Clippers eager to bounce back from a double-overtime gut punch in Phoenix. With Paolo Banchero in All-Star form and potential reinforcements on the way, Orlando aims to tighten its grip on a coveted Eastern Conference playoff spot and keep momentum rolling on the West Coast.