Markelle Fultz laid down the gauntlet for the Orlando Magic just before training camp. It would have been the rallying cry for the team to shock the world and surprise everyone with a playoff chase.
It was a sign of the internal confidence of the team and the belief they have in themselves. In the back halls of the Amway Center, they could see what was building and cooking. They could see the talent that was on the roster.
There is nothing wrong with a little bit of confidence. And nothing wrong in believing the absolute best version of a team. Even with its depleted status the Magic do look like a team with playoff potential.
Reality though often does not meet expectations. Well-laid plans do not work out. And the hopes of making the Play-In Tournament or the Playoffs for the Magic had to take a back seat to basic survival with the injuries the team has suffered.
Injuries have defined the Orlando Magic’s season so far. As the team turns toward the second quarter of the season, they are already struggling to keep pace in the standings.
For sure, the Magic’s main organizational goal this year is simply to evaluate the roster. Orlando wants to see the pieces it has and how best to build around the best players on the team — right now clearly Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
The Magic would love a healthy roster to see the whole thing come together but injuries are the biggest impediment to anything right now. Orlando has played the fifth-most clutch games in the league this season at a record of 3-9.
At 5-13, the margins for error are very small. And losing those close games is very much the difference between the Magic having the confidence to make a push for the Play-In Tournament or languishing at the bottom of the standings.
The fact they are doing this with all the injuries they have suffered is still quite impressive. Even if the results ultimately are what they are. Orlando has quite a lot of work to do.
This first quarter of the season has been about survival then. It has been about the team just trying to keep its head above water and establish an identity all the while surviving a host of injuries.
There has barely been any time to focus on the standings, other than to know the team is falling down with each loss.
For now, it is about keeping contact with the leaders.
The Orlando Magic find themselves 3.5 games back of the Brooklyn Nets for the final Play-In Spot. It is still early in the season to consider that an impossible margin to make up. But it is also pretty clear that it will take a roughly .500 record ot make the Play-In Tournament. That is a lot of ground for the Magic to make up.
And their schedule the next month — despite eight of their next 11 at the Amway Center — is a tough one. Orlando faces only one team with a sub-.500 record in its next 11 games and it is Brooklyn at 9-10.
This next month is going to determine whether the Magic can make a surprising play-in run or whether the team is going to sink deeper into the standings.
Orlando is likely to get players back in the next month during this stretch too — Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter are day-to-day with their injuries, Markelle Fultz and Moe Wagner returned to practice Wednesday, Cole Anthony is expected to return in early December (at least by his own estimation) and Jonathan Isaac should be inching closer with a late-December five-game homestand looking like a good target for his return.
That will give the Magic all the chances they want to evaluate their roster. Whether that will come in games that have competitive meaning or just a general sink to the bottom is up in the air.
But this Thanksgiving Day is a good day to take a step back and look at the standings and where the Magic stand. Already, there is a clear pecking order becoming established. And perhaps by doing this, the magic can see their path ahead and a chance to work their way into the play-in picture.
Thanksgiving Eastern Conference standings check
Tier 1: The Contenders
1. Boston Celtics (14-4)
Season Series vs. Magic: Celtics 126, Magic 120 in Orlando on Oct. 22; Dec. 16 in Boston; Dec. 18 in Boston; Jan. 23 in Orlando
There is no surprise who the top teams in the Eastern Conference are. The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks were likely the top two teams by the time the Playoffs rolled around last year, played a classic seven-game series in the second round last season and came back with something to prove this year.
The Boston Celtics had a lot to prove after they finally broke through to the NBA Finals only to fall short to the experienced Golden State Warriors. Their young players saw firsthand the sacrifice and intensity the Finals bring with them.
Jayson Tatum got off to a blistering start to the season, averaging 30.6 points per game. But the Celtics have managed to put together the top offense in the league. And this is a team that does not look like it is going to slow down.
A lot of teams lose in the Finals and then struggle to gain the same edge the next year. Boston does not look like that kind of team.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (12-5)
Season Series vs. Magic: Dec. 5 in Orlando; March 1 in Milwaukee; March 7 in Orlando
Similar to the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks looked at last year and left a lot on the table. The Bucks lost that second-round series with the Celtics last year after holding a 3-2 lead and a home Game 6. Khris Middleton’s injury played a factor for sure. But the Bucks would ahve liked the chance to defend their title in the Finals.
That is a big driver for a great player like Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is already putting up his usual MVP numbers to start the season — averaging 30.5 points per game, 11.5 rebounds per game and 5.5 assists per game. Antetokounmpo is on a mission.
And the team still has been without Middleton. That was the big difference in last year’s playoff series loss. Milwaukee has found other offensive players to fill. But obviously, everyone is looking ahead to April and May more than they are to November and December.
Thanksgiving Eastern Conference standings check
Tier 2: Up and Comers
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (12-6)
Season Series vs. Magic: Cavaliers 103, Magic 92 in Cleveland on Oct. 26; Dec. 2 in Cleveland; April 4 in Orlando; April 6 in Orlando
The next tier of teams is the young teams that sensed their opportunity to get better immediately and made major offseason moves to do so. So far it is hard to argue that both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks have not found something that works. Their new additions have fit in well and have helped them get to a comfortable spot already.
Donovan Mithcell’s addition to Cleveland has been about as good as anybody hoped. His strong start — 30.1 points per game and a career-high 5.7 assists per game — helped them survive an early injury to budding young star Darius Garland.
The defense that helped the Cavaliers become the surprise team in the league last year has carried over. Cleveland is third in the league in defensive rating. And there is no slowdown between Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
For the Magic, the Cavaliers are one of the growth models the team should try to follow. Cleveland caught lightning in a bottle with a young team and then pushed their chips in to begin the ascent to contender status.
Orlando, of course, has to carve an identity in something first. The Magic are still bottom 10 in both offense and defense to start the season (although injuries have had some part in that).
4. Atlanta Hawks (11-7)
Season Series vs. Magic: Hawks 108, Magic 98 in Atlanta on Oct. 21; Nov. 30 in Orlando; Dec. 14 in Orlando; Dec. 19 in Atlanta
The Atlanta Hawks’ transition to bringing Dejounte Murray in has not been as smooth as the integration of Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland. Murray started off quickly, giving the Hawks some needed defensive juice. Trae Young was the one who was struggling to adjust.
Young is averaging a still gaudy 27.6 points and 9.4 assists per game. But he is shooting just 32.0 percent from beyond the arc. That gives teams some relief. Although not much. Because this team is still just as dangerous offensively and now they are defending a bit better.
That spells a bit of trouble for the Hawks overall as they continue to develop. But if Atlanta’s goal was to leave the Play-In Tournament behind and make themselves into the Eastern Conference Finalist they were two years ago permanently, the Hawks have made some vital steps.
Thanksgiving Eastern Conference standings check
Tier 3: Surprise Surprise
5. Indiana Pacers (10-7)
Season Series vs. Magic: Pacers 114, Magic 113 in Indianapolis on Nov. 19; Pacers 123, Magic 102 in Indianapolis on Nov. 21; Jan. 25 in Orlando; Feb. 25 in Orlando
If the Orlando Magic were hoping for a surprising season, this is likely where they would have ended up. Whether the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards or New York Knicks are able to keep their pace is definitely a question. It is early in the season, but these teams have started at a blistering pace.
The Pacers are perhaps the most surprising. But maybe we should not be surprised. Tyrese Haliburton is a really solid young player that can be the engine to drive a young team forward. They have veteran players in Myles Turner and Budy Hield. And while there was some though that they would be traded in the offseason, they never were and they are both strong contributors for any team they play for. And Rick Carlisle is a great veteran and championship coach that knows how to get a lot out of a team.
Everything has clicked well. Haliburton has elevated his play to an All-Star level and has fit in perfectly to make the whole thing work. They have established a distinctive style that is fast-paced and favors a ton of 3-pointers. That has proven difficult for teams to figure out.
At this point, all that should add up to the Pacers being taken seriously as a postseason team. They are not going to finish where everyone thought at the beginning of the season.
Like the Cleveland Cavaliers, this is a team the Magic should watch carefully for how they build this kind of success. It is truly about finding an identity. And that is what the Magic have not yet found in themselves.
6. Washington Wizards (10-8)
Season Series vs. Magic: Dec. 30 in Orlando; Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C.; March 21 in Orlando; March 31 in Washington, D.C.
The Washington Wizards always had the talent and potential to be a playoff team again. Their problems in recent years have simply been health. Bradley Beal has not played more than 60 games since 2019.
It is clear how good he can be. And he is averaging 22.7 points per game and shooting 38.3 percent from beyond the arc to start the season.
The difference for the Wizards to this point in the year has been Kyle Kuzma though. Kuzma has been excellent averaging 19.8 points per game. That has given the Wizards a big boost. This is a veteran team that should hang around the playoff picture so long as they stay healthy — never a guarantee with Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis in their careers.
7. New York Knicks (9-9)
Season Series vs. Magic: Knicks 115, Magic 102 in New York City on Oct. 24; Feb. 7 in Orlando; March 23 in Orlando
One thing you can always count on with Tom Thibodeau is that his teams will defend well. But that is not the case. In fact, it is a bit baffling that the Knicks are at .500. With a -2.4 net rating including the 23rd-ranked defense, the Knicks are not the picture of a team that should be hovering around .500.
It does seem like there is a fall coming. Especially with rumors that the team is exploring trades for Immanuel Quickly and Evan Fournier has found his way out of the rotation. That should open the door to the possibility of a few trades to try to save this season. But that is still a bit far off.
New York has some solid players in Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett. But the Knicks still do not seem like anything to write home about.
They are a surprise but the likeliest team to lose their playoff spot at this point among the top teams.
Thanksgiving Eastern Conference standings check
Tier 4: Biding their time
8. Toronto Raptors (9-9)
Season Series vs. Magic: Dec. 3 in Toronto; Dec. 9 in Orlando; Dec. 11 in Orlando; Feb. 14 in Toronto
The Eastern Conference has been run it seems for many of the last few years by the four teams in this group. And it feels safe to say that all four of them will figure things out and make their run to climb the standings. These are not the teams to expect to fall in the standings, these are the risers.
The Toronto Raptors have seemingly defied all odds for years now. They are just consistently solid.
The Toronto Raptors are also the team closest to the vision the Orlando Magic have for their team. They are long and versatile with OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes able to interchange and switch at will. This is the positionless basketball the Magic are dreaming of.
That makes sense considering Jeff Weltman worked with Masai Ujiri for so long. They should be studying the Raptors — 10th in net rating — as much as they are studying their own team to figure out a formula for success.
9. Philadelphia 76ers (9-9)
Season Series vs. Magic: Nov. 25 in Orlando; Nov. 27 in Orlando; Jan. 30 in Philadelphia; Feb. 1 in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia 76ers should be fine. Even with the injuries they have faced, as long as they have one of Joel Embiid or James Harden on the floor, they should be able to persist. And the emergence of Tyrese Maxey (22.9 points per game) has helped boost the Sixers.
Like the Orlando Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers are probably just frustrated with the injuries they have faced. Harden is out with a strained foot that should leave him out for at least another week. Maxey is out with a foot injury for at least another few weeks. And Embiid is dealing with a mid-foot strain that had him miss the last two games.
The Sixers are talented and can cover for these injuries a lot better than the Magic. But seeing them at .500 shows just how difficult it is for any team to sustain so many major injuries at once. But also that it is not impossible.
10. Brooklyn Nets (9-10)
Season Series: Nov. 28 in Brooklyn; March 26 in Orlando; April 7 in Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Nets should be much better. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are all-world players and Ben Simmons is still very good. But they have rarely been on the floor together. Simmons has been working his way back from injury after missing all of last year. Irving had his suspension (and that is all that needs to be said about that).
Durant is still Durant — 28.8 points per game and a 57.3-percent effective field goal percentage. Good luck stopping him.
But Brooklyn is struggling because of an inconsistent defense that ranks 19th in the league and a general lack of size. The Nets have the worst defensive rebound rate in the league at 66.6 percent. Brooklyn has the top-end talent but the team is not doing the little things it needs to win.
Talent can be enough though.
11. Chicago Bulls (8-10)
Season Series vs. Magic: Magic 108, Bulls 107 in Chicago on Nov. 18; Jan. 28 in Orlando; Feb. 13 in Chicago
The Chicago Bulls are struggling to recapture what worked so well for them early last season. It would be something more than just missing Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso clearly. There just seems to be a mismatch offensively.
DeMar DeRozan continues to put up bonkers numbers. And Billy Donovan has them playing great defensively overall.
But Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic have struggled to find consistency this year. The Bulls seemed like a likely team to lose their playoff spot if they could not get healthy. And it is looking increasingly more like Chicago will be in the Play-In race. And that means the Magic are likely going to get a second Lottery pick this year.
12. Miami Heat (8-11)
Season Series vs. Magic: Jan. 27 in Miami; Feb. 11 in Orlando; March 11 in Orlando; April 9 in Miami
The Miami Heat have their Heat Culture. That may mean they eventually right the ship and find themselves again. The Heat do not seem overly worried about their slow start to the season.
But Miami has been awful to start the season, especially on the road. The Heat are 1-7 away from the arena formerly known as American Airlines Arena.
Miami has had these slow starts before and the team has figured itself out eventually. Nobody seems to think the Heat will stay down for long. This just may not be a season where Miami is a top seed.
Thanksgiving Eastern Conference standings check
Tier 5: The Bottom
13. Orlando Magic (5-13)
You can clearly see how big of a drop-off there is between the Miami Heat and the contenders for the Play-In Tournament and the teams at the bottom of the standings currently led by the Orlando Magic. These three teams at the bottom are clearly working through some serious flaws and probably not ready for contention unless they really catch fire.
The Magic expected to be here, unfortunately. While they are really optimistic about the talent they have on the roster, they knew there would be growing pains in the process. A 3-9 showing in clutch situations is plenty of growing pains.
The injuries were not. At least not to this extent. The Magic hoped to have a few more healthy bodies.
That is at the heart of everything the Magic are struggling with right now. It has kept the team from establishing its identity or even getting consistent work in as they aim to improve. The Magic have been trudging through a manageable part of the schedule with these injuries. They will be getting healthy just as their biggest test begins.
14. Charlotte Hornets (5-14)
Season Series vs. Magic: Magic 113, Hornets 93 in Orlando on Oct. 28; Hornets 112, Magic 105 in Orlando on Nov. 14; Feb. 5 in Orlando; March 3 in Charlotte
The Charlotte Hornets are also where they are in part because of injury. Losing LaMelo Ball to start the season put them in a pretty deep hole. But they still have some veteran talent that should make people believe they can right the ship. It still seems like it will be tough for them to climb all the way.
The Hornets are starting to climb the rankings defensively as you would expect from a Steve Clifford-led team. But the Hornets have taken another trait of Clifford’s teams: their offense has really struggled.
Charlotte has a lot of work ahead of them. They are the team at the bottom with the most playoff experience. But they are also struggling the most of these teams that are typically expecting growth.
15. Detroit Pistons (5-15)
Season Series vs. Magic: Pistons 113, Magic 109 in Detroit on Oct. 19; Dec. 28 in Detroit; Feb. 23 in Orlando; April 2 in Orlando
The Detroit Pistons made a bit of an all-in move to acquire Bojan Bogdanovic. That trade was designed to help a young roster take a step forward. And Bogdanovic has been good for this young team.
The reality has been much different.
The Pistons are still very young and learning how to play consistently. They lack consistency defensively or on the inside. And they too have suffered a major injury.
The Pistons’ fall has really fallen after Cade Cunningham’s injury. That has helped push Jaden Ivey forward more. But despite some gaudy stats, he still looks and feels like a rookie. They have just now gotten their footing without Cunningham.
But these teams are not ones that can survive being down key players. The Magic and Pistons both are without them right now. So it is hard to judge these young teams or which one is further along in their progression.