The Magic Insider

How the Orlando Magic can advance in the NBA Cup

Here's where the Magic stand as the Emirates NBA Cup group play wraps up.
Austin Dobbins|
Nov 9, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic mascot Stuff on the court during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Nov 9, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic mascot Stuff on the court during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

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Orlando Magic

The NBA Cup returned this season for its third year, bringing group play, point differential stakes, and knockout drama to the league’s opening months. Introduced two years ago as part of the NBA’s push to add competitive urgency to early season games, the tournament uses designated matchups that count toward both the regular-season standings and the Cup standings.

Teams are split into groups, with each group winner and two wild cards advancing to the eight-team knockout round. Every possession matters during the group stage, and that has created a meaningful early pressure point for teams like the Orlando Magic.

Orlando enters the final week of group play tie atop of East Group B with the Pistons, and the implications are clear after the league released its updated scenario sheet. The Magic can eliminate some teams from wild card contention with a win tonight (via point differential), but their own fate will not be sealed until Friday. Their matchup with Detroit is could effectively for first place in Group B. The Pistons 2-0 overall and have a clear path to the cup.

The Magic face a challenge as Paolo Banchero will likely miss both remaining games. His absence puts more responsibility on Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs, and the team’s front-court depth. Even so, Orlando has built its early season identity on defense, rebounding, and ball pressure, traits that tend to hold up even when offensive firepower dips. That will matter in these final two group games, which could swing on effort and margin rather than pure scoring talent.

Tonight’s game offers a different kind of incentive. A win would not only move the Magic to 3–0 in group play but would also allow them to build point differential, an important tiebreaker in scenarios where multiple teams finish with the same record. That margin could be decisive in the wild card picture, where teams across groups are compared by differential. Orlando has an opportunity to give itself a cushion heading into Friday.

The NBA Cup adds stakes to early season games that would otherwise be routine, and for the Magic, the path is straightforward. Handle business in the first game, then prepare for the group final against Detroit. Their play over the next two nights will determine whether Orlando moves on or watches the knockout stages from home.

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Austin Dobbins
AUSTIN DOBBINS

Austin also writes for the Five Reasons Sports Network, covering all South Florida sports. As a current athlete, Austin specializes in in-depth analysis, player profiles, combining on-field knowledge with strong storytelling to cover football, basketball, and beyond. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Business Management at Webber International University. Twitter: @austindobbins13

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