Magic Clinches Play-In Berth; What's Next?

The Orlando Magic has a spot in at least the Play-In Tournament, but the team has bigger goals and aspirations.

Jeremy Brener | Mar 20, 2024

Magic Clinches Play-In Berth; What's Next? /

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic will be playing an 83rd game this season after beating the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night at the Kia Center.

The win ensured that the Magic would finish no worse than 10th in the Eastern Conference, securing a spot in the Play-In Tournament.

However, sitting in fifth place with 41 wins in the middle of March means that the Magic can achieve more in the final month or so of the season, which means it's business as usual for Orlando.

Cole Anthony Jordan Nwora Raptors — USA Today Sports

“I think we continue to focus on one game at a time – continue to build our habits the right way, stick to our standard of style of play, knowing that we’re there but not being satisfied with that because that’s not what we set out to do," coach Jamahl Mosley said postgame. "We set out to be playing our best basketball in March and April, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do on a consistent basis: Our level of work, our level of focus, each and every single day that we know we need to do in order to get where we’re trying to go.”

The players also feel like there is more on the to-do list for the Magic this season.

"We're not here to play for the Play-In," point guard Cole Anthony said in Tuesday's shootaround via Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. "We want to solidify a playoff spot. We're in a position where we can do that and I think [if] we just stay focused, keep taking care of business, working hard, we're going to have a chance. We're going to be alright."

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The Magic's path towards clinching a playoff berth continues tomorrow night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Published Mar 20, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.