Magic Leaders Rightfully Question Roster After Game 7 Loss to Pistons

For a third straight season, the Orlando Magic were sent home after the first round of the playoffs.

The Magic appeared to be on their way to winning the series at halftime of Game 6 when they took a 60-38 lead into halftime while being up three games to two on the Detroit Pistons, but Orlando scored just 19 points in the second half of a humiliating loss.

On Sunday, the Magic won the first quarter 22-20, but were outscored by a combined 21 points in the second and third quarters.

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Magic forward Paolo Banchero made a heroic effort in Game 7, scoring a game-high 38 points to go along with nine rebounds and six assists (both were team highs).

During his postgame news conference, Banchero admitted that he had doubts the Magic had enough talent on the roster to make a deep push in the Eastern Conference in response to a reporter's question.

“This is the third straight time we haven’t gotten out of the first round,” Banchero said, via ESPN. “So, if you are going off the last three years, the answer is no. The nice answer is yes, but honestly speaking, I can’t say we’re good enough to be in the Finals or the Eastern Finals because the last three years, we’ve had the same result. So, that’s your answer.”

The Eastern Conference isn’t as challenging as the Western Conference. The Magic would need to make some serious changes if they hope to compete in a future NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.

Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley pointed out that a lack of shooting was a problem in Game 7. He thinks Orlando will look to make changes this offseason in a bid to be more competitive.

“There’s time to reflect on this and start thinking about changes we might be able to make,” Mosley said. “Today is about the gratitude for these guys and how they gave us a chance to play in a Game 7. They fought and battled the whole way. We just didn’t get the job done.”

Orlando starters Jamal Cain and Jalen Suggs combined for just 11 points against the Pistons on Sunday. Suggs went 2-of-9 shooting and 0-of-4 from beyond the arc.

The Magic might look to move on from Suggs, who struggled shooting in the second half of Game 6 in addition to Sunday.

Simply put, Orlando lacks the firepower to make it deep in the East, much less worry about how to beat a giant from the West in the NBA Finals.

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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 7:03 PM.