Orlando Magic Searching for Consistency to Reach Potential

Despite loads of talent, the team has yet to realize its best this season.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Orlando Magic have shown flashes of their potential, but have struggled to put all the pieces together consistently. Despite a strong offensive performance against the Milwaukee Bucks, including a career-high 8 three-pointers from Desmond Bane, the Magic were unable to close out the game and fell 116-108. The team's young stars like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have had uneven performances, and the Magic's defense has been inconsistent as well, allowing the Bucks to take control in the second and third quarters. As the team heads into the All-Star break, they remain in search of the consistency needed to reach their full potential and climb the Eastern Conference standings.

Why it matters

The Orlando Magic entered the season with high expectations after making several offseason moves to bolster their roster. Their inability to put together complete, consistent performances has kept them from realizing that potential so far this year. As they approach the second half of the season, the Magic need to find a way to get all their pieces working together in order to make a push up the standings and potentially secure a playoff spot.

The details

Against the Bucks, the Magic had their chances, erasing a six-point deficit and taking a late tie. But they were unable to capitalize, with Paolo Banchero missing a key dunk and the team struggling to score in the paint as the Bucks packed the defense. The Magic's over-reliance on three-pointers, while effective at times, also contributed to their downfall as they failed to consistently get to the basket. Head coach Jamahl Mosley pointed to the team's inability to finish at the rim as a key factor in the loss.

  • The Magic trailed for much of the second half against the Bucks.
  • With less than two minutes to play, the game was tied at 106.
  • In the final minute, the Bucks regained the lead and held on for the 116-108 victory.

The players

Desmond Bane

The Magic's offseason acquisition, Bane scored a team-high 31 points and made a career-high 8 three-pointers.

Paolo Banchero

The Magic's young star scored 17 points but shot just 5-for-16 from the field, continuing his uneven start to the season.

Franz Wagner

The Magic's other young star, Wagner scored just 5 points on 1-for-7 shooting in his fourth game in the last 29.

Jamahl Mosley

The Magic's head coach acknowledged the team's inability to finish at the rim as a key factor in the loss.

Jalen Suggs

The Magic guard said the team had some defensive lapses that accumulated and hurt them down the stretch.

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What they’re saying

“I thought we were solid defensively, they made some tough shots. We just stalled out later in the game. It's the NBA. It's a skill game. You've got to be able to be physical, but also execute, get shots and make shots, and obviously get stops as well.”

— Paolo Banchero (orlandomagicdaily.com)

“A lot of times, we've just got to finish down there. I think they did a great job packing the paint, shrinking the floor. We made the right play for guys with kick-out shots. You've got to knock those down. Our ability to finish at the rim will be key as teams continue to pack the paint when they give you a lane to get downhill.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Head Coach (orlandomagicdaily.com)

“I think for the most part we were pretty solid. Just a couple of defensive lapses. It may not be a ton, but it kind of accumulated, especially in the fourth quarter. You want to get rid of those and get those out of the game. I thought they were a factor down the stretch. I think for the most part, we were dialed in, moving the ball, the process was right. They made a lot of shots.”

— Jalen Suggs, Guard (orlandomagicdaily.com)

“I think that our best basketball is definitely still in front of us. That's super exciting. We're not the team that we want to be and we have a lot of room to grow.”

— Desmond Bane (orlandomagicdaily.com)

What’s next

The Magic will look to regroup during the All-Star break and come back in the second half of the season ready to put together more consistent performances and make a push up the Eastern Conference standings.

The takeaway

The Orlando Magic have shown flashes of their potential this season, but their inability to play with consistent effort and execution on both ends of the floor has prevented them from realizing that potential so far. As they enter the second half of the season, the Magic must find a way to get all their pieces working together in order to make a playoff push and prove they can be a top team in the East.