Orlando Magic 2026-2027 season preview
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The Orlando Magic’s 2026 season may have ended prematurely, but with the 2027 season coming up, Orlando’s home team has the chance to have a magical season.
The Magic open their four-game 2026 NBA preseason schedule against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 7.
Then on Wednesday, Oct. 21, the regular season begins against the Atlanta Hawks at the Kia Center.
This content is imported from x. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Despite last season’s ending, Magic fans have a lot to anticipate for the upcoming 2027 season. The organization has managed to keep the overall core of the team together while making a coaching change.
After suffering a defeat to the Detroit Pistons, the Magic let longtime head coach Jamahl Mosley go. Twenty-eight days later, on June 1, Orlando hired Sean Sweeney as their 16th-ever head coach.
This content is imported from x. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
OFFICIAL: Sean Sweeney has been named head coach of the Orlando Magic, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.
He becomes the 16th head coach in franchise history.
Welcome to Orlando, Coach Sweeney!
→ https://t.co/BXAyEfjCCR pic.twitter.com/hc5x1rtmyT
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) June 1, 2026
Sweeney has been coaching since 2011 and his most notable job was being an associate head coach for the San Antonio Spurs during the 2025-2026 season. During his press conference, when discussing what he expects from the notable stars like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Sweeney said, “The thing the great players all have in common is they raise the talent around them.”
Going into this new season, NBA.com has the Magic ranked 15th in total power rankings.
Returning young core/veterans
For the 2027 season, the Magic have a strong returning young core of Banchero, Wagner and Anthony Black. The Orlando Magic ranked within the top five of the youngest teams in the NBA. The trio of Banchero, Wagner and Black averaged 57.8 points last season.
The Magic also re-signed veterans such as Jevon Carter and Jonathan Isaac. Nikola Vučević, an aging veteran who spent nine seasons with the team (2012-2021), also re-signed in the offseason.
Must-see matchups
According to NBA.com, these are the must-see matchups for the Magic this season:
• Oct. 21: Hawks vs. Magic — Another season opener here: the Hawks and Magic should compete for one of the top spots in the Southeast.
• Dec. 14: 76ers vs. Magic — This is the second of two consecutive games between the two teams.
• Feb. 13: Spurs vs. Magic — From Feb. 12 to March 9, the Magic play nine of 10 games at home, including this one against defending Western Conference champion San Antonio.
• March 15: Magic vs. Bulls — Vučević spent the first eight-plus seasons with Orlando early in his career, then played for Chicago from 2021-26 before rejoining the Magic in the offseason.
• April 11: Magic vs. Heat — The Magic and Heat play four times, including three times in the final month of the regular season, including this closeout contest – another game where playoff seeding could be at stake.