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3 Up, 3 Down for the Orlando Magic’s future playoff spot

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) is fouled by Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) is fouled by Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic, Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Jalen Suggs will not get a matchup with Bennedict Mathurin at the Rising Stars Game this year. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

3 Up, 3 Down in the Eastern Conference playoff picture

1 Up: Indiana Pacers

The Orlando Magic are not the only team that should rightfully be eyeing an open postseason spot. There are other young teams on the rise.

And at this point, the Indiana Pacers might have a stronger claim to be the most immediate it team than the Orlando Magic. The Magic might have a clearer future and star in Paolo Banchero, but the Pacers might be more ready to seize the moment today.

It should be no surprise. Rick Carlisle has always been an excellent coach. And the Pacers came together and played some stellar basketball.

They likely would have been in the playoffs if not for a Tyrese Haliburton injury in January. They lost nine of 10 games in that stretch to fall from 23-19 to 24-28. Haliburton then missed 13 of the Pacers’ final 15 games, where the team went 5-10. That took the Pacers firmly and finally completely out of playoff contention.

If the Pacers have a weakness it was an over-reliance on Haliburton and his individual growth.

They have some optimism that another year with Myles Turner and Buddy Hield will help the team take the leap along with a sophomore jump from Bennedict Mathurin. Not to mention they have the seventh pick in the draft — that could land them Taylor Hendricks, Jarace Walker, Cam Whitmore, Ausar Thompson or Anthony Black among others.

Indiana is not yet a complete picture. They are still young and need to shore up some depth to sustain and survive these injuries that hit them last year.

But this is a team that has already proven a lot more than a team like the Magic. It feels like, as things stand today, they should be first in line to take that empty spot in the postseason. Provided they stay healthy and stay on their trajectory.

It is probably too simplistic to say Haliburton’s injury derailed their season. But it is not that complicated either.