Philip Rossman-Reich here, the host of the daily Locked On Magic podcast, with your daily Locked On Magic newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Magic and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
NBA Cup still has meaning for Orlando Magic
Nov 21, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports|Kim Klement Neitzel/Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA Cup is here.
And nobody still really knows what to make of this NBA in-season tournament experiment. Is it just a sideshow to the NBA season and the games are not overly important beyond their value to the NBA’s regular season? Do these games give young teams actual playoff practice and pressure game practice? Does the cup winner mean anything?
The answer to those questions is. . . uncertain.
To the players, it might still feel like another game. The NBA Cup has not quite taken over primacy and importance in the big picture. Everyone is still trying to figure out what makes these games more important.
“It’s fun for the fans. I think it’s awesome,” Moe Wagner said. “Obviously, it brings in money so as a player I’m excited about that. To be honest with you, it does get you a little more excited because the fans are more excited, the court is different. Every time something changes, you get a little more excited about it. At the end of the day, let’s be real, it doesn’t change anything day-to-day.”
That is probably accurate. Players are not as invested in the results of these games in terms of the bigger tournament. At least not until the very end when the chance to win something is clearly within sight.
It was Wagner after all who asked after the Magic defeated the Boston Celtics on Black Friday to sit in first place in the group heading into the final day of group play what the team needed to advance. The Magic PR rep needed a calculator to give him an answer.
The Magic still used that moment as a launching pad for their season.
The young team began its nine-game win streak in its In-Season Tournament win against the Chicago Bulls (the second win of that streak). The streak included the hallmark win over the Celtics on Black Friday.
They did not reach the knockout round. But the point was made. The team gained confidence for the rest of the season.
This year’s team is a different team. The Magic made the Playoffs last year and are playing with a new level of poise and composure.
Orlando does not need the “playoff practice” as they did last year. But they can still get something out of these games.
Before the season, the Magic could look at these games as a chance to prove they belonged among the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Pressure games against the Philadelphia 76ers and a national TV finale against the New York Knicks felt like a chance for this team to make a statement of intent.
Paolo Banchero’s injury has changed everything, of course. The Magic are still trying to find themselves after the injury. They are looking to establish themselves.
The Eastern Conference, though, has given them some grace. They are sitting in fourth in the conference at the moment, putting them in place to achieve their goals from the start of the season.
What the Magic have to prove then is that they can compete without Banchero. And while they do not need the playoff experience anymore – and maybe their group is a different challenge than we expected in August – they need the confidence to compete against quality teams again.
The Magic do not need to advance in the NBA Cup to deem it a success. But they need to compete and prove their team for the next month and a half can compete and do more than keep the boat steady without Banchero.
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
Injury The Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets are dealing with several injuries, including Tre Mann, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr., affecting their upcoming game. (Sports Illustrated) [Nov 10, 2023]
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Recap
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
Orlando Magic’s offensive improvement: Why winning in the margins matter The Orlando Magic’s offense has found a lift in the last three games, capped off with a 121-94 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday. While the team is starting to find its three-point fortune again, the game was won on the margins with the team’s ability to get offensive rebounds, second-chance points and score off turnovers.
Franz Wagner’s stardom evolves as Orlando Magic’s offensive leader Franz Wagner is stepping up for the Orlando Magic, showcasing his evolving role as the primary offensive force with Paolo Banchero sidelined. Can Wagner’s aggressive play, highlighted by his 27-point performance, lead the Magic to success?
Orlando Magic’s Bench Woes + KCP’s Shooting Slump: Can they turn it around? The Orlando Magic are trying to match their stellar season from last year. But several key elements are not hitting their mark. The biggest drop-off has come from the bench where key players like Moe Wagner and Jonathan Isaac are underperforming.
