The Athletic NBA Daily Did Orlando lose its Magic?
Jan 27, 2026
Josh Robbins, NBA reporter and Orlando Magic analyst, breaks down why Orlando has stalled. He discusses their offensive predictability, missing shooters and spacing issues. He talks injuries to key wings, defensive dropoffs tied to roster health, and what the team might do at the trade deadline to manage payroll and competitiveness.
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Hornets' Young Core Is Clicking
- The Charlotte Hornets have become a balanced, efficient young team with multiple nightly scorers and a settled best five-man lineup.
- Musa Diabate's starting role and the trio of LaMelo, Kahn, and Brandon Miller drive their recent offensive surge.
Cavs Showing Resilience Not Revival
- Cleveland's recent stretch shows resilience rather than a full return to last season's offensive dominance.
- Donovan Mitchell's scoring and Mobley's assertiveness signal clearer roles even without Darius Garland.
Magic Offense Is Predictable And Stagnant
- Orlando's offense has become predictable and too focused on getting Paolo Banchero the ball in isolation.
- That predictability reduces ball and player movement and limits shot quality across the roster.