Magic adjust in practice with one fewer preseason game due to Hurricane Milton

For the Magic , an opportunity to get on the road and face other opponents rather than themselves in the preseason meant a chance to grow their team chemistry on and off the court.

Orlando got an extended chance at that this past week due to the impact of Hurricane Milton on Florida.

After opening the preseason in New Orleans against the Pelicans last Monday and battling the Spurs on Wednesday night, Jamahl Mosley s squad spent an extra day in San Antonio because of the storm before returning home Friday.

The Magic were able to get back the practice courts inside AdventHealth Training Center on Saturday following their road trip.

[Were] praying that everybody came out of it safely, Mosley said.

I know theres still people without power and a lot of damage happened, so our thoughts and prayers go out to them as well still as theyre dealing with it.

For us being on the road, being able to stay together, be around each other off the court those are very important pieces that we continue to build on as we move forward, he added.

The impact of Hurricane Milton not only kept the Magic on the road longer than expected but also forced the cancellation of Fridays home preseason contest against the Pelicans.

Magics depth on display at Spurs answers some questions, raises more With only three preseason games on Orlandos slate instead of four, Mosley had to adjust practice in order to prepare for the regular season, which tips off in Miami on Oct.

23.

That meant going through a full scrimmage Saturday.

Not a full 48 [minutes] but enough to where they were getting their competitive edge in, Mosley said of the scrimmage.

These guys, they really, really got after it.

You started to see them putting each other in positions to make the right play for their teammates.

The Magic are scheduled to hold another scrimmage-focused practice on Tuesday in order to make up for the missed preseason contest, Mosley said.

Following a week of practice, Orlando will then close out the preseason at Kia Center against Philadelphia (7, Bally Sports Florida).

Friday, well look at exactly some of the lineups [and] some of the rotations, the Magic coach said.

Well still continue to mix it up.

Its a long year and guys need to understand the different chemistry and the lineups that they need to play with and how you need to play when youre with different guys on the floor, he added.

Mosley shared that Magic center Wendell Carter Jr.

(left sprained ankle) is doing OK, but he did not go through practice Saturday.

Carter suffered the injury during Orlandos preseason opener at New Orleans last week and is considered day-to-day.

Although he didnt go through an entire practice, Carter still participated in drills with the coaching staff to work on his ballhandling, movement up and down the court and passing.

He also got in some cardio to remain in condition.

Were going to continue to check and see how he responds to each one of the treatments he does while not being on the court fully through practice, Mosley said.

Wendell Carter Jr.

eyes quick return from preseason injury If Carter cant play in Orlandos final preseason games vs.

the 76ers, reserve center Goga Bitadze would be inline to start again as he did against the Spurs.

Bitadze tallied 8 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks during 22 minutes in San Antonio.

Beyond Carter, the Magic are in a good space right now from a health perspective, according to Mosley.

Prior to practice Saturday, the Magic signed free agent center Robert Baker II, the team said.

It was reported that Baker had agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with Orlando after the franchises G League affiliate, Osceola, acquired his returning-player rights from the College Park Skyhawks.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Baker has played in 87 career NBA G League games (47 starts) with Stockton, Lakeland (now Osceola) and College Park, averaging 10.2 points, 5.3 rebounds 1.4 assists and 1.18 blocks in 21.6 minutes.

In addition, the Magic waived guard Javonte Smart, who appeared in one preseason game, scoring 3 points in 6 minutes.

Smart was originally signed as a free agent on an Exhibit 10 deal by Orlando on Sept.

19.

If Smart signs with Osceola and remains with the club for 60 days, hed receive a bonus ranging between $5,000 and $77,500 as part of Exhibit 10 terms.

Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected] Up next ...

Magic vs.

Sixers When: 7, Friday, Kia Center TV: Bally Sports Florida.

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