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The top 10 games of the Orlando Magic’s 2023 season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Paolo Banchero has turned in a stellar rookie year. But the Orlando Magic need him to break through a rookie wall to make a postseason push. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Paolo Banchero has turned in a stellar rookie year. But the Orlando Magic need him to break through a rookie wall to make a postseason push. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls
Jalen Suggs again delivered a huge shot for the Orlando Magic as they bested the Chicago Bulls for their first road win. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top 10 games of the Orlando Magic’s 2023 season

9. Game Winners — at Chicago Bulls (Nov. 18) & vs. Detroit Pistons (Feb. 23)

108. 38. 107. 24. Final

Final. 106. 64. 108. 38

Sometimes a game can get distilled into a single moment. That is what stands out to everyone and something that lives on. Never mind how you go there, one moment defines everything. And makes that game memorable and feel important.

Wins all count the same regardless of how they happen. But game-winning shots are special — the reason why there remains resistance to ideas like the Elam Ending. Who can blame them with how much fun game-winning shots the Magic had.

Orlando had two buzzer-beaters that stood out throughout the season. It was a rough moment to get there, but the team stood up and made big plays under clutch situations.

The first came in Chicago with Jalen Suggs bailing the Magic out after Nikola Vucevic missed two free throws, hitting a cold-blooded three that felt very much like the big shots he hit at Gonzaga a few years ago.

Suggs has had a rough start to his career for sure. He struggled with injuries through much of his first two years. His offensive game seemed to have left him as he struggled to find his footing in the league. His defense was at least reliable.

But he had several games where his offense stood out. And specifically his clutch play (stay tuned for that).

This is one of the brightest moments of his career. Suggs got the rebound after Vucevic’s missed free throws and hit a step-back three over the scrambling Bulls defense. It was just a gutsy and impressive moment.

The same could be said for Wendell Carter’s game-winner in February against the Detroit Pistons.

The Magic had lost their lead but had the ball in a tie game trying to hold onto the lead. Paolo Banchero drove the lane and missed his shot, but Wendell Carter (and Markelle Fultz) came flying in for the putback. Carter got to it first and beat the buzzer for the win.

Both of these moments were a sign of the Magic’s growing poise in the midst of chaos. In both instances, the Magic lost leads in the fourth quarter and had to scramble to preserve the win. They showed their youth in their inability to hold onto these leads.

But they bounced back to score the win in the end. And provide a moment we will not forget from this season.