10 losses the Orlando Magic will regret from 2023
1. Nov. 5 vs. Sacramento Kings
This was the game. This was supposed to be the game to turn around the season.
Coming off a big win against the Golden State Warriors in the previous game in which the Orlando Magic closed the game on both ends of the court seemingly unlocking a bit of the potential this team had.
They were facing a team that was struggling itself. The Sacramento Kings had gotten off to a slow start and had only gotten their first win a few nights before against the Miami Heat. This was a game that could turn the season for both teams.
Someone was going to get the boost. And it sure looked like it would be the Magic on their home court.
Orlando was up 20 points in the second half and it seemed as if there was still time to turn the season around. That was not the case. This was not the Magic’s moment. Not yet at least.
As Orlando did everything right in the first half, the team did everything wrong in the second half. Orlando surrendered another lead and found itself playing catch-up in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
Orlando lost itself again and scrambled to get to overtime. The team then scrambled late with a clutch steal and basket to tie the game. It seemed the game was destined for double overtime. Still a shot to win.
Instead, De’Aaron Fox hit a half-court buzzer-beater to give the Kings the win. It was a turning point for the Kings as they became artists late in games throughout the season and eventually the 3-seed in the Western Conference.
The team only found more questions that had to be answered the rest of the season.
This was one of the games the team absolutely regretted. A game that ultimately cost the Magic a chance at making the postseason.