The Orlando Magic opened their 2025-26 season with an announcement win on Tuesday night time, defeating the Miami Warmth 125-121 on the Kia Middle. The debut of veteran guard Desmond Bane stole a lot of the highlight, incomes quick reward from star ahead Paolo Banchero and head coach Jamahl Mosley following his first sport in a Magic uniform.
Bane, acquired this offseason from the Memphis Grizzlies, scored 23 factors to go together with 4 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 33 minutes. He shot 7-for-18 from the sphere, 3-for-6 from past the arc, and 6-for-6 from the free throw line, enjoying a key position in serving to Orlando shut out Miami in a high-scoring contest.
Banchero, who led the Magic with 24 factors, 11 rebounds, an help, a steal, and a block on 7-of-17 taking pictures, stated Bane’s aggressive strategy and confidence match seamlessly into Orlando’s system.
“He was simply being himself and that’s what we’ve requested him to do for the reason that day he received right here,” Banchero stated. “Simply hunt his pictures, be aggressive and let it fly. We belief him with the ball in his palms [and] no matter he decides to do with it so I assumed he performed nice.”
Paolo Banchero and Jamahl Mosley reward Desmond Bane’s management
Mosley echoed that sentiment, emphasizing Bane’s management and composure in key moments.
“Properly he brings a peaceful however he additionally brings a toughness – his skill to get guys collectively in huddles,” Mosley stated. “You noticed him bringing the group collectively down the stretch, I feel it was the 4:30 mark that he introduced guys in. Jalen was over there getting the group going and Desmond introduced all people in and I feel his skill to do this for this group says lots. And in addition making the best play, placing the ball in his palms down the stretch – he can deal with it, him and Paolo two man sport, decide and roll… it’s a luxurious to have these guys down the stretch to have the ability to make huge time performs for each other.”
Bane’s debut efficiency capped off an all-around offensive displaying for Orlando, as Franz Wagner matched Banchero’s 24 factors whereas including six assists, 4 rebounds, and two steals on 9-of-17 taking pictures. Wagner additionally mirrored on Bane’s affect, praising his aggressive edge and unselfishness.
“I simply talked about Bane, not simply as a participant however that play reveals his character – he’s an enormous time scorer however he actually needs to win and does that kind of play as properly,” Wagner stated, referencing Bane’s dive for a unfastened ball late within the sport. “Like I stated, you don’t know which play is gonna win the sport.”
Balanced scoring trio powers Magic previous Warmth, highlighting group’s depth and flexibility
The trio of Banchero, Bane, and Wagner mixed for 71 factors, marking simply the second time in franchise historical past that three Magic gamers scored 20 or extra factors in a gap night time sport. The one different occasion got here on Oct. 19, 2022, in Detroit, when Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Wagner every topped 20 factors.
For Mosley, the brand new scoring stability highlights Orlando’s rising depth and flexibility.
“These are excellent issues,” Mosley stated. “I imply, you see down the stretch we’re looking for a matchup – we go to Paolo and Desmond within the decide and roll after we often go to Franz and Paolo within the decide and roll. Jalen’s on the market, he makes an enormous play. It says lots concerning the guys that aren’t afraid of the second and so they belief one another sufficient to make the best play on the proper time and so they’re all able to making huge time performs and so they rejoice one another. And that’s the great thing about this group — our depth, our togetherness, and the main target that now we have to proceed to work for each other.”
Banchero says expectations are ‘thrilling’ as Magic look to construct on opening win
Banchero, now in his fourth NBA season, stated the addition of Bane has elevated each the group’s confidence and expectations.
“The expectations are thrilling, the strain is thrilling,” Banchero stated. “It’s a privilege for individuals to suppose or have very excessive expectations in your group and I feel we simply wanna embrace that right here. I wouldn’t say it was our greatest efficiency however we had been capable of nonetheless grind out the win and keep collectively. There was a number of good as properly so… going again to take a look at what we may work on and taking the nice as properly and simply being higher from it. However it was an excellent first displaying and I feel the sky’s the restrict for us.”
Wagner shared an analogous perspective, noting that the offseason additions have sharpened the group’s mindset.
“Clearly with the strikes we made this summer season, our urgency is at an all-time excessive,” Wagner stated. “Plenty of guys that we added not simply on the courtroom with their enjoying fashion however with their demeanor, their character, I feel matches us completely with what we wanted. And add that to a very proficient group that everyone received lots higher over the summer season, I’m excited for what we will do.”
With the Magic’s dwelling opener now behind them, the group will look to construct on its early momentum when it hosts the Atlanta Hawks (0-1) on Friday night time at 7 p.m. ET to proceed their three-game homestand.