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Injuries or not, Orlando Magic must still use December to save their season

By Wesley Wilcox

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 09: Ersan Ilyasova #7 of the Atlanta Hawks grabs a rebound against Mario Hezonja #8 and Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic at Philips Arena on December 9, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 09: Ersan Ilyasova #7 of the Atlanta Hawks grabs a rebound against Mario Hezonja #8 and Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic at Philips Arena on December 9, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Injuries have derailed the Orlando Magic’s hopes of using this stretch to improve their record. That opportunity still exists and is one they can’t pass up.

Saturday night was nothing special or new for the Orlando Magic. They not only suffered a loss to one of the worst teams in the Atlanta Hawks but proved the surmounting injuries plaguing Orlando will be difficult to overcome.

For 47 minutes, the Magic played well. But they still needed to scratch and claw against the Hawks for a chance to win. Following Saturday night’s late-game collapse, the Magic will have time to recover before continuing their most pivotal stretch of the year.

And if the Magic have any Playoff aspirations, they must consider this their most pivotal stretch of the season.

After the Magic got off to such a hot start to begin the 2018 season, it has quickly receded. The injuries continue to add up for this Orlando squad. But a bit of good news may be on the horizon with Aaron Gordon possibly returning to the lineup Wednesday night against the LA Clippers.

Despite not having Aaron Gordon on Saturday night the Magic managed to stick around the entire game with the Hawks even with the number of guys they had out. But two costly turnovers inside of the final minute sealed their fate losing 117-110.

These were the kind of mistakes the Magic made late in games that cost them time and time again. Those are the kind of losses that drop a team high in the Lottery.

The Magic have lost a major step with the injuries. And with no true point guard at the helm things can only get worse.

The Magic had to stave off the Hawks in overtime at home. Had it not been for an incredible play from D.J. Augustin, the Magic would be looking at two losses to the Hawks in a week. That would mark three losses to the two worst teams in the conference — the Orlando Magic got beat at home by the Chicago Bulls too.

The seemingly hot start for this Magic team has cooled off significantly. But they cannot possibly give up on the season this soon, right?

Currently sitting at 11-17, the Magic feel like they are off to their best start in some time. In actuality, they are a game behind last year’s team.

Still, they only sit three games back of the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks for the eighth seed in the East entering Monday’s games. They are staying in contact, but the question is for how long?

This is not the team that played so well at the beginning of the season for sure. Their shooting has cooled considerably. The defense has lost its connection and slipped considerably too.

Will the Orlando Magic blow the Cleveland Cavaliers out by 20 points again? No, and they surely will not be doing that to the San Antonio Spurs when they face off later in the year. But the talent is still here for Orlando this season to make a Playoff push.

As is the opportunity in December. They just have to survive this stretch with their injuries and make it through December with some wins in their pocket.

With games against the LA Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls the Magic can begin climbing their way back to .500 basketball. These are opportunities against poor or struggling teams to get some wins and put themselves in the Playoff picture. That is all the team can ask for.

Especially ahead of a difficult January schedule. This is the Magic’s opportunity.

But something is going to have to change.

The Magic have not been relevant in the Playoff conversation in what seems like an eternity. The next few weeks will help determine whether they stay in that race. With the meat of their schedule somewhat behind them, Orlando can seriously climb back into the conversation as their injuries subside. Gordon could be back sooner than expected. And Jonathan Isaac should be back any day now — although Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday he has not returned to practice yet.

This is the moment where they will have to. And that is what made Saturday’s loss, despite the injuries, so alarming and frustrating.

This loss to the Hawks is arguably the toughest to swallow thus far. And the Magic in the past have failed to beat the teams they need to beat. That has been the struggle for this team trying to grow.

Orlando had that game in its clutches and failed to execute in the end. With such a tight window just to stay in the Playoff conversation, those are the losses a team will regret. No matter the circumstances.

Next: Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live: On injuries and the Nikola Vucevic contradiction

There is no taking it back though. Orlando has to look forward and seize the opportunity. This month is a necessary one to win for the team.