Orlando Magic Power Rankings: Rise or Fall After Up-and-Down Week?

The Orlando Magic is 2-3 in its last five games. Where does that put Orlando in this week's power rankings?

Jeremy Brener | Nov 7, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is sitting at 4-3 after last night's loss at home against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

So far on the young season, Orlando has had some big highs, including two crucial road wins and a home victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. But the team has also experienced some lows, including injuries to major contributors.

The highs and lows have pinned the Magic right in the middle of CBS Sports' power rankings at No. 15, nine spots lower than the previous edition.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Anthony Davis / Mike Watters-USA Today Sports

"Orlando went 2-3 in a five-game week, with their biggest win coming against the Lakers at home," CBS Sports writes. "The offense struggled mightily, putting up just 107 points per 100 possessions, as Franz Wagner shot below 40% from the field. An injury to Markelle Fultz opened up some opportunity for rookie Anthony Black, who averaged 10 points and five rebounds on 54% shooting in two starts to close the week."

The Magic will still continue to fight as injuries pile up, but the schedule doesn't get much easier. The team is traveling to Mexico City for a Thursday matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. Then, the team comes right back home to face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks before a four-game road trip that begins with its first In-Season Tournament matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Nov. 14, continues with two games against the Chicago Bulls and concludes with one final game against Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 19.

Published Nov 7, 2023

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.