Orlando has won four of six past games on November 1, and none were close. Today's team is 2-3 and without its best players, so the margin on this date matters more than the pedigree.
Orlando's November 1 games have never been close.
The Magic are 4-2 on this date in the games on record, and every one was decided by at least 18. Last year's was a 125-94 win. The losses were 91-123 in 2019 and 79-105 in 2000. This season has the same swing in miniature: a 99-129 loss in Toronto on October 28, then a 121-114 win in the rematch two days later. A net rating of -7.6 over five games says the team is still looking for a middle ground.
The best Orlando teams were built around stars, and the stars are out.
The franchise lost its first game 111-106 on November 4, 1989, beat the Knicks two days later and finished 18-64. The turn came with Shaquille O'Neal in 1992, then Penny Hardaway, and a 57-25 team that reached the 1994-95 Finals. This group sees itself differently, as size and two-way forwards instead of one dominant star. That model needs bodies. Paolo Banchero is out until about November 22, Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac until about November 10, Noah Penda and Izaiyah Nelson until about November 18. By our count that is 91 minutes missing today, the fifth-most hurt club of 30.
Wagner and Bane are doing the carrying, and the shooting has not caught up.
Franz Wagner is at 20.8 points and 7.0 assists through five games, but he is shooting 18.5% from three. Desmond Bane has 17.2 a night and scored 28 in Toronto. Anthony Black, with three games played, has 14.3 a night on 57.1% from deep. Nikola Vucevic, 36, passed 1,000 career threes on October 30. Experience is not the shortage. Shot creation is, and Suggs' 37.2% true shooting over his last games shows what the backcourt lost.
Boston is the first real test of the ninth seed.
The Celtics are 4-1 with a 9.8 net rating, and Jayson Tatum is at 27.6 points over five games. Mitchell Robinson and Devin Carter are out for them, so the gap is not as wide as the ratings suggest. Orlando sits 0.5 games behind sixth, and the Wizards come tomorrow. The old Nov. 1 results say these games tend to break one way. A short roster needs this one to stay close.
What is the Magic's record on November 1?
In the six games on record, Orlando is 4-2, with wins in 2008, 2013, 2021 and 2025. Every game was decided by 18 or more.
When will Paolo Banchero return for the Magic?
His estimated return is November 22 after a right ankle injury. A report on October 25 said he expects to miss at least a month.
