This Day in History: Orlando Magic Play Inaugural Game in Franchise's Existence

The Orlando Magic's first-ever game took place on this day 35 years ago – October 13, 1989. The Magic are set to play their 36th professional season this upcoming year.

The 1989 Orlando Magic in their inaugural season of NBA basketball. / NBA Archives

When it comes to the Orlando Magic, October 13 is a very important anniversary.

How so? It was on this day in 1989 when not only professional basketball, but professional sports in general got underway in downtown Orlando. The Magic welcomed the reigning champion Detroit Pistons to town for the franchise's first-ever game, a contest the Magic won 118-109.

Regardless of the game's preseason nature, it served as a celebration of the accomplishments Pat Williams, Jimmy Hewitt, and the entirety of Central Florida had achieved in making the NBA's arrival in Orlando a reality. That's before taking into consideration that the Magic defeated the Isaiah Thomas-led Bad Boy Pistons, who were fresh off an NBA title the year prior.

"We beat the World Champs that night and everybody thought we had won the NBA championship that night even though it was just a preseason game,’’ Magic Hall of Famer Nick Anderson said in an NBA.com article. A sold-out Orlando Arena crowd had the type of night it had envisioned for years before its actualization, and Anderson was a star for 10 seasons with the Magic after being the first-ever NBA draft pick selected by the franchise.

"To the Pistons, it was just another preseason game, but to our fans it was like Game 7 of the NBA Finals,’’ Anderson said in another NBA.com article, highlighting the best moments in Magic history. "The electricity in that building was amazing and our fans really wanted us to win that game.’’

It's largely in part because of Williams' vision to help bring professional sports to Orlando in the first place that the Magic exist. With his passing this summer, the franchise he helped birth is honoring him with jersey patches this year.

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) poses for a photo during Media Day, pointing to a memorial ribbon bearing PW in honor of the late Pat Williams co-founder of the Magic at AdventHealth Training Center. / Mike Watters-Imagn Images

"I’ve gone on record many times in saying that Pat Williams is just a genius to be able to see Orlando’s potential,’’ Jeff Turner said in an NBA.com article recounting the experience. Turner, who now helps broadcast Magic games on Bally Sports Florida, played seven seasons with the Magic. He was on the original Magic team.

"But to be a part of sports coming alive in Central Florida, it was great. We had had Minor League baseball and football, but to be a major league sports town for the first time was special. Pat envisioned it, he saw it and he made it happen."

As the Magic enter their 36th season in Orlando this year, they've gone on to make 17 playoff appearances and two appearances in the NBA Finals.

That wouldn't be a reality without the efforts of all those involved to make the Magic a reality in the mid-80s. And on this day 35 years ago, it all came to fruition.

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