Orlando Magic at Memphis Grizzlies (Oct. 7, 2026): 3 Things to Watch, Odds and Prediction

• How To Watch: DAZN (Memphis); NBA League Pass
• STREAM MAGIC-GRIZZLIES ON FUBO TV
• How to Listen: WYGM 96.9 FM (Orlando); 740AM (Orlando); 92.9 FM ESPN (Memphis); 680 AM Sports Radio (Memphis); Sirius XM Channel 894 (Grizzlies); NBA Audio League Pass (National)
• FOLLOW LIVE: @OMAGICDAILY
• Tickets: $6-$141+ on StubHub
• Regular Season Series: Tonight in Memphis (Preseason); Jan. 3 in Orlando; Feb. 10 in Memphis
• 2026 Season Series: Magic 118, Grizzlies 111 in Berlin on Jan. 15; Grizzlies 126, Magic 109 in London on Jan. 18

Orlando Magic at Memphis Grizzlies: Stats and 3 Keys to Watch

1. What will be different

The biggest question facing the Orlando Magic as they enter the preseason is: What will this team actually look like?

It has been five years since the Magic had a new coach. It has been even longer since the team made a mid-build pivot to try to improve their roster after a playoff run -- that would be the hiring of Stan Van Gundy in 2007.

The team has talent. Even the Magic's biggest critics acknowledge that. The question is whether they now have a coach who can make the most of that talent. The question is whether Orlando is actually going to be different.

Like Jamahl Mosley, Sean Sweeney made his name as a defensive coach. The team is looking to strengthen its defensive intensity and physicality. That will likely be what the team looks to establish most in this game. They want to show they understand their defensive principles and rotations.

The bigger question is how different this team's offense will be. Sweeney has talked a lot about the team's emphasis on spacing. That is good in the abstract. But will the Magic move faster and make quicker decisions?

The Magic are probably still only running their basics. But they will show fans a lot of what to expect as the team ramps up for the regular season.

2. Desmond Bane's return

The Orlando Magic were eager to take Franz Wagner and Moe Wagner home to Berlin last year as part of the NBA's slate of international games. It was a celebratory moment for the country and its basketball culture.

That came with one downside. Playing both games against the Memphis Grizzlies in Europe -- the second game was in London -- meant Desmond Bane did not return home to Memphis after the trade.

The Magic's preseason game in Memphis on Wednesday will mark Bane's first return to Memphis. He is expected to get a warm welcome for everything he did in his five years.

Bane, for his part, brushed aside questions about the return. He said it will be good to see some familiar faces in the building. Of course, many of his teammates from those Memphis teams are on other teams now -- Jaren Jackson Jr. was traded to the Utah Jazz and Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Bane is also seemingly intently focused on what this team needs to do to get things right for the Magic. That is the reputation he has built. He is a serious and measured leader for this team.

It should still be a good and emotional return for him.

3. The Magic's picks

The Memphis Grizzlies are not expected to be a contender in the Western Conference this year. But you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who does not see the vision for this team's future.

The Grizzlies played their cards right and sold early on Desmond Bane to build their draft coffers and then sold early on Jaren Jackson Jr. to build it even more.

The Grizzlies still have work to do, but they have the pathway to a great team.

It starts with the third overall pick, Cameron Boozer. He is the kind of star the team can build around, and he was impressive in his first preseason game, scoring 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.

But the Grizzlies have already started to use the Magic's picks effectively.

Cedric Coward had a strong rookie season, averaging 13.6 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game. He is the kind of long-limbed defender and scorer who serves a big role on winning teams -- someone the Magic surely would have targeted if they retained their pick instead of trading for Desmond Bane.

Memphis will not be in the playoff conversation most likely. But with the team's length and size, this is a team that will be difficult to handle throughout the season.

Orlando Magic at Memphis Grizzlies: Injury Report & Projected Lineups

Orlando Magic Injury Report*

• Jalen Suggs - QUESTIONABLE (Illness)
• Anthony Black - QUESTIONABLE (Ankle)
• Noah Penda - QUESTIONABLE (Calf)
• Jonathan Isaac - OUT (Personal Reasons)
• Izaiyah Nelson - OUT (Ankle Surgery)

Memphis Grizzlies Injury Report*

• Zach Edey - OUT (Ankle)
• Isaiah Stewart - OUT (Left Ankle)
• Micah Peavy - QUESTIONABLE (Ankle)

*Injury report based on media reports. There is no official injury reports during the preseason.

Projected Starting Lineups

Orlando Magic at Memphis Grizzlies: Prediction

2026 Record: 55-36/39-52 ATS

Making a prediction for a preseason game is folly. Predicting the first preseason game is even more foolish. Especially since we know so little about how the Orlando Magic will play under Sean Sweeney.

It is even more foolish because most of the game will be determined by the deep roster players. At least we know one thing about the Magic's G-League strategy: They bring elite G-League players to camp like J.D. Davison, Malakhi Branham and Kevin Knox, along with two-way players Colin Castleton and Alex Morales.

What the Magic want to see is the team look comfortable and organized. They want to see the team's defense look sound, aggressive and physical. They want to see the team spread the floor and move quickly.

There will be hiccups and rough stretches. The Magic not being at full strength will not help this team see the complete picture, but I think the Magic will accomplish what they want to accomplish in this game. And there will be the seedlings of a strong team.

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