Magic Loss vs. Grizzlies Reflection of Entire Season

The Orlando Magic has been through a lot this season and Tuesday's loss against the Memphis Grizzlies was a microcosm of the year that has been.

Jeremy Brener | Mar 29, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic may have lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night, but there was a lot to like in the team's loss ... similar to the vibes the team has had all year long.

"They hit us in the mouth early," head coach Jamahl Mosley said. "I think that was not being able to step into the game right away, but that's been this group all year. The ability to compete night in and night out no matter what's happening, down 23, not hanging our heads but just continuing to fight."

This season, the Magic was hit in the mouth early because the team wasn't able to step into the game right away. Orlando dealt with injuries to several players, including Markelle Fultz, Paolo Banchero and Cole Anthony early on, which led to a disastrous 5-20 start.

But plummeting to the bottom of the NBA standings didn't change the Magic's competitive edge. Since that 5-20 start, Orlando has played above .500 with a 27-24 record, a mark that would have the team competing in the play-in. Out of those 24 losses, 10 of those have come by six points or less, some of which have come against the league's best teams, like the Grizzlies.

Sure, the Magic hasn't been perfect, but what team with an average age of 23.7, third-youngest in the NBA, is supposed to be? Given the circumstances, Orlando hasn't been too shabby and is expected to take a leap next season like the one it has taken this season.

While Tuesday night's game ended in a loss and the season will likely end in missing the playoffs, the Magic's identity has been solidified. Orlando will compete and continue to fight no matter what, and teams that do that should eventually figure it out and become contenders.

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Published Mar 29, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.