Paolo Banchero and Magic fight back from play-in loss to shock Pistons in 2026

Orlando Magic turned their season around with a 121-90 win over Charlotte Hornets and a Game 1 upset of top-seeded Detroit Pistons in 2026.

Video inspiration before key game Before the Magic's biggest shootaround, coach Jamahl Mosley showed a three-minute highlight reel featuring past tournament moments from his players. The video included Jonathan Isaac's dunk at Florida State, Moritz Wagner's three-pointer for Michigan under contact, Desmond Bane's deep triple for TCU, Tristan da Silva's plays at Colorado, Franz Wagner's contributions at Michigan, Wendell Carter Jr.'s performances at Duke, and Jalen Suggs' iconic 40-foot buzzer-beater for Gonzaga in the 2021 Final Four. The final clip ended with Jim Nantz's call, 'Suggs for the win!' as the ball swished. ## Rocky start to playoff push The Magic had recently suffered a tough play-in loss to Philadelphia, compounded by travel delays that kept them returning home at 4 a.m. Things got worse with a 113-108 defeat to Boston, where the Celtics rested key players on the final regular-season day. Orlando faced Charlotte in a must-win game, following the Hornets' thrilling overtime victory over Miami. Paolo Banchero admitted the team felt they had let the season slip away against Philadelphia. ## Coach dismisses outside pressure Mosley downplayed the growing chatter about his future, stating, 'I'd be lying if I said that I did listen to any of it.' He insisted narratives change quickly, especially after a strong performance. The team needed a win to avoid offseason uncertainty and secure their playoff spot. The video served as a reminder that these players had thrived in clutch moments before and could do it again. ## Dominant performance against Hornets The Magic transformed their energy immediately against Charlotte, building a 27-10 lead by the first quarter timeout. Banchero described the shift, saying, 'Our energy was different. It felt like they weren't really prepared for that level of physicality.' Wendell Carter Jr. started with two early threes off Banchero assists, followed by Banchero's own 8-foot turnaround and a 26-foot triple. Charlotte suffered two demoralizing shot-clock violations before calling timeout. ## Banchero's leadership in do-or-die Banchero refused to settle against Charlotte, delivering 25 points, six assists, and five rebounds on 9-of-17 shooting. He contrasted this with his 7-of-22 performance against Philadelphia, including zero threes and six turnovers. The 2022 top pick emphasized a superstar's responsibility to play aggressively in critical games. His effort set the tone for the blowout win that kept Orlando's season alive. ## Historic upset over top-seeded Pistons The Magic continued their surge with a 112-101 Game 1 victory over the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons. Jalen Duren, Detroit's All-Star center, managed just eight points and seven rebounds, noting, 'They came out ready from the jump. We didn't really meet their intensity.' Banchero scored 23 points in the first three quarters before stepping back in the fourth, letting Franz Wagner exploit mismatches. Wagner added 11 points in the final quarter. ## Video lifts team spirits and focus The highlight reel not only inspired the team but also brought laughter, especially over vintage footage of assistant coach Lionel Chalmers' 2004 move at Xavier. Banchero reacted excitedly, saying, 'The one that got me going was they showed Lionel. It was grainy, but the move he did.. it was just a clean-ass shot.' Suggs called it the perfect mood-setter, adding, 'It makes everybody feel a bit better. You remember where you came from.' ## Blueprint for postseason success The Magic rediscovered their formula for success, combining stifling defense, size, and physicality with a swagger that rattled opponents. Banchero acknowledged earlier shortcomings, stating, 'In Philly, we played decent. We played hard enough, but just not [with] as much swag as we should have.' Against Detroit, he controlled the game, letting Wagner take advantage of favorable matchups. His leadership and playmaking proved pivotal in both wins. ## Looking ahead to Game 2 With home-court advantage secured, the Magic aim to extend their run when they face Detroit again in Game 2. Banchero emphasized the importance of remembering past clutch moments, saying, 'It was just us remembering and realizing that our season's on the line.' Mosley's reminder of their journey resonated, reinforcing that these players have thrived in high-stakes situations before. The team hopes to channel this momentum into more April Madness.