The Magic’s home opener tips off with a matchup against the Heat.
The Orlando Magic play host to the Miami Heat in a Southeast Division showdown to begin each team’s 2025-26 NBA season. From players making debuts for their new squads to injury updates, here are five things to know ahead of tip-off (7 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass).
Desmond Bane set for Magic debut: After being acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in a blockbuster deal over the summer, Bane is expected to start and play a significant role for Orlando this season. The 27-year-old guard averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game in 69 appearances for the Grizz in 2024-25. Bane’s skills as a defender should only help coach Jamahl Mosley’s system, which ranked second in the NBA in defensive rating (109.1) last season, but the Magic need his scoring and passing to boost their 27th-ranked offense (108.9) from a year ago.
Jalen Suggs’ status in question: Suggs suited up for a career-low 35 contests last season after dealing with a knee injury he sustained in January of 2025. He sat out the entire preseason while primarily doing non-contact work in practice, and the 24-year-old has been listed as questionable for Opening Night against the Heat. With Suggs potentially sitting out Orlando’s opener, look for Tyus Jones, who signed with the Magic as a free agent this summer, to operate as the starting point guard.
Heat, Magic split 24-25 season series: For the second consecutive year, the Magic and Heat will face off in the season opener for both teams. These two franchises split their four-game series last year, with Orlando taking the first two contests and Miami claiming victory in the next two. Paolo Banchero (33) and Franz Wagner (23) combined for 56 points in the 116-97 win on Oct. 23, 2024, in South Beach, so that will be a dynamic duo to watch on Wednesday.
Who steps up for Miami with Tyler Herro sidelined?: Herro, who poured in a career-best 23.9 points per game in 77 regular-season appearances in 2024-25, is projected to miss at least the first six weeks of the 2025-26 campaign as he recovers from left foot and ankle surgery he underwent in mid-September. He also added 5.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists per game last season, so Miami will need someone to fill that void on offense.
Norman Powell could be the answer: Miami acquired Powell from the Los Angeles Clippers over the summer. After averaging a career-high 21.8 points per game with LA last season, the 32-year-old sharpshooter is the best bet to replace some of the offensive firepower in Herro’s absence. In five preseason outings with the Heat, Powell put up 16.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in just 21.9 minutes a night.