ORLANDO, Fla. – The Kia Center has been mighty kind to the Orlando Magic in recent seasons, especially in the playoffs.
Including this season, the Magic are 6-1 in home playoff games since 2024. While each of those games has carried its own significance, there’s little doubt that tonight’s Game 6 showdown against the Detroit Pistons is the most important game in the City Beautiful in years.
A Magic win tonight would eliminate the 1-seeded Pistons and punch Orlando’s ticket into the second round for the first time since 2010. Following the team’s shootaround this morning, players and head coach Jamahl Mosley weighed in on one of the NBA’s most impressive home court advantages.
“Our fanbase is incredible,” says Mosley. “They will (cheer) us on. Their energy, their enthusiasm, their defensive chants when big plays happen, that support gives our guys comfort but also another level of confidence. It’s a heck of an advantage. We have one of the loudest crowds in the NBA.”
[WATCH: Orlando Magic fans bring playoff fever to Kia Center for Game 6 against Detroit Pistons]
Wendell Carter Jr., now in his sixth season with the Magic, agrees. “It’s a big advantage, especially now,” says Carter Jr. “The Kia Center has never disappointed us. So, I’m excited for what they’re going to do tonight, and they’re definitely going to be a key factor for us getting a Dub (win) tonight, that’s for sure.”
The Magic will be shorthanded tonight. Forward Franz Wagner will not play in Game 6 as he continues to deal with a right calf strain. Wagner had been tasked with guarding Detroit’s leading scorer, Cade Cunningham, who scored 45 points in the Pistons’ Game 5 win in the Motor City. Wagner did not play in that game.
“We’re not making excuses about it,” says Mosley. “At the end of the day, that’s why you go over the film and watch what you do differently. Different bodies on him (Cunningham) changes things, and so you just have to look and see how you can adjust to those situations within the game.”
Tipoff for Game 6 at the Kia Center is set for 7:00 p.m.