The #Magic want nothing to do with moral victories. This summer, neither should the rest of Orlando's organization.
The stars are in place, the foundation is strong. 
Time to build off it. Pressure's on. www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
@mvsonwilliams.bsky.social
Free agent sportswriter. PBWA member. Prev. bylines for Magic on SI, USA Basketball, NBC Sports, and more. IU alum | masonman2442@gmail.com | https://linktr.ee/mvsonwilliams | https://masonman2442.wixsite.com/bymasonwilliams
The #Magic want nothing to do with moral victories. This summer, neither should the rest of Orlando's organization.
The stars are in place, the foundation is strong. 
Time to build off it. Pressure's on. www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
Game 4 taught the #Magic a harsh lesson about being sharp, the killer instinct & having been there before. Perhaps, in that sense, the Celtics are the NBAβs best teacher. 
As elimination threatens, Orlando heads to TD Garden looking to stave it off. www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
The Celtics commanded closing time. They command a 3-1 series lead over the #Magic because of it.
"You could just tell their experience showed. They weren't rattled at all." 
www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
The bread and butter of the Celtics' potent offense is 3-point attempts and shots at the rim.
Through three games, the #Magic defense is minimizing Boston's most reliable offense ... and giving Orlando the chance to claw back into the series.
Story: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
The #Magic couldn't have watched all of Barry Sanders' 110 career touchdowns, but they did note one trend ... Sanders never celebrated when he scored because he expected to.
Why didn't Orlando celebrate the Game 3 win at home?
"We haven't done anything." www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
βWe had to find a way to change the trajectory of the game.β 
Inside the second-half turnaround, sparked by the #Magicβs defense, that stole Game 3 for Orlando and made this a series again: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
Celtics sound off on the #Magic's physicality, flagrants: 'There might be a fight break out' www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
26.04.2025 15:32 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0#Magic's Paolo Banchero: "We knew we were going to have to do whatever we could to get this game and give ourselves a chance to tie it up 2-2. We didn't allow some of the runs and plays they made affect us. We just kept playing and got the win." www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
26.04.2025 03:48 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0When primarily defended by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Celtics players are shooting 7-21 with 4 TOs in two games.
But, KCP himself is knocking down just 21.7% of his shots and is 20% from 3.
Put plainly, the #Magic needs more offense from its 2-guard. www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
No Tatum, no problem for the Celtics, who took a 2-0 series lead over the #Magic on Wednesday night. Another poor 3Q, Jaylen Brown's 36 and free throws hurt Orlando: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
24.04.2025 03:47 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Al Horfordβs comments on KCPβs Game 1 foul against Jayson Tatum βmean nothing,β the #Magic say: βWe're just all playing hard, physical basketball." www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
23.04.2025 17:52 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Physicality is the #Magicβs superpower. But in the second half, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said Orlando βlet up a little bit,β and it cost them.
In Game 2, "[the Magic will] be ready to sustain our play throughout.β 
Read: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
Review of the #Magic's Game 1 loss to the Celtics proved two things:
"We can't get into the lull of a halfcourt game with them."
"We've just got to limit even more mistakes."
How Monday's practice in Boston took shape as Orlando regroups: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
After Game 1, Joe Mazzulla said every Celtic understands they're a "weapon." Jayson Tatum said it's what makes Boston so dangerous.
If the #Magic aren't to waste the ammo from Paolo Banchero & Franz Wagner, Orlando needs more of its weapons to step up. π www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
#Magic forward Franz Wagner on Boston's third-quarter takeover: "I think we got a little stagnant on offense, and that's when they're a really good defensive team."
More on Orlando dropping Game 1 to Boston on Sunday: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
6 things to watch in the #Magic-Celtics series, which tips off today at 3:30 p.m. ET: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
20.04.2025 12:36 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0This year, the #Magic refined their approach to playoff prep to focus more on their mentality and belief in one another. 
With Game 1 vs. Boston tomorrow, "We've got the answers to the test, I think we are overly prepared," Orlando says. www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
Veteran guard Cory Joseph emerged late as a floor-raiser for the #Magic.
No matter how unlikely, Orlando needed him to get back to the playoffs β a spot he knows well. He delivered.
Paolo Banchero: "Cory stepped in right away ... and elevated our team." www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
Some voices around the #Magic say they see bits and pieces of themselves in the Celtics. But when asked Friday if he felt the same, Paolo Banchero held a dissenting opinion: "No, not really ... I think we are a different team than them."
More inside: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
The #Magic are expecting a 'heck of a series' against defending champion Boston Celtics in the first round: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
17.04.2025 21:20 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0#Magic coach Jamahl Mosley and forward Jonathan Isaac took time post-practice on Thursday to address the active shooter event at FSU: "Lives are more important, and human beings are more important than a basketball game or a playoff series at any given time." www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
17.04.2025 21:16 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Tuesday, the #Magic's supporting cast around Paolo Banchero & Franz Wagner "carried" them.
Now, to contend with Boston, Orlando will need Banchero & Wagner's best... and more of the same from others.
"That's going to be the name of the playoffs for us." www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
The NBA announced the full schedule for the #Magic-#Celtics first-round playoff series, which begins Sunday, April 20 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Full schedule, including dates, tip times, and TV designations here: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
"There were some moments where one or two guys would get frustrated ... and we were able to tell each other to relax, regroup and shake it off," #Magic's Paolo Banchero said. "That's just what a good team does."
Orlando's shipping up to Boston: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
Liken it a Game 7, compare it to an NCAA Tournament game. 
However you see it, the reality of the #Magic's Play-In meeting with the Atlanta Hawks is clear-cut:
"... it's a do-or-die type of game and I think everyone is going to be ready." www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
The Play-In Tournament is here.
A comprehensive preview of tonight's #Magic-#Hawks matchup: Keys to the Game, TV information, betting lines & more.
- You guys again?
- Trae Young, the conductor
- Postseason risers?
Read: www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
βThe trajectory could only go up from there.β
"I think we're in a great position, ready to take care of the Hawks Tuesday at home." www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
The #Magic were six games below .500 with 12 games to play. Tell them theyβd finish .500, and even they mightβve scoffed at the idea.
What happened?
βWe understood that we had to change that shit all around.β
Now, as Orlando wakes up Monday 0-0, it likes where itβs at. www.si.com/nba/magic/ne...
No. 7 #Magic-No.8 #Hawks, Tuesday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. ET. 
In current Play-In format, the No. 7 seed has never missed the playoffs. 
No. 7 seeds are 6-2 in the 7-8 game. The two teams that lost both went on to win their 8-seed elimination game. www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #NBASky
Next stop: Postseason www.si.com/nba/magic/ne... #Magic #NBASky
13.04.2025 19:29 β π 0 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0