Orlando Magic at Golden State Warriors, Digi Mart USA News: The struggles that have plagued the Orlando Magic early in the season followed them out West to their first contest of a four-game road trip. Now, Orlando is determined to leave them behind.
The Magic (2-6) will attempt to bounce back in the win column when they visit the Golden State Warriors (6-3) on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
“I think just decision-making (and) being sound with the basketball,” said Orlando head coach Sean Sweeney. “Playing with great technique, playing with good fundamentals, and then from there, trying to make the right decision and the right play.”
In Phoenix, the Magic committed 25 turnovers, which led to 36 points for the Suns. On the season, Orlando is giving up the ball 18.3 times per outing, which is the third most in the NBA.
“As a whole we just have to do a better job of communication early and receiving that,” said Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. “That is a two-sided thing.
Not just talking, but also receiving information and making sure you are in the right spots. But again, these guys, this is a team that wants to be right and wants to be good.
We know what we are capable of, so we are going to figure it out. It’s an internal thing and we’ll figure it out.”
That task won’t get any easier against Golden State. The Warriors are forcing opposing teams to turn the ball over 18.0 times per game, the fifth most in the league.
They capitalize on those miscues, putting up 22.2 points per matchup off turnovers, which is also the fifth most in the association.
Golden State is once again a deadly threat from beyond the arc, shooting a league-leading 38.9 percent from 3-point range.
Two-time MVP Steph Curry leads the charge in that regard, knocking down the second-most triples (4.7) in the NBA per outing. The 12-time All-Star is pouring in 29.9 points per game, the fourth most in the association.
While none of that is a surprise, the performance of the Warriors’ 2026 first-round pick, Yaxel Lendeborg, has raised eyebrows around the league. The 11th overall selection is second on the team in scoring (21.0), first in rebounds (7.1), fourth in assists (4.1) and fourth in steals (1.1) per matchup.
Injury report: Paolo Banchero (right low-grade high ankle sprain), Desmond Bane (illness), Jonathan Isaac (left knee injury management), Izaiyah Nelson (left ankle injury recovery), Noah Penda (right partially torn hamstring) and Jalen Suggs (right knee contusion / bone bruise) are out for Orlando.
For Golden State, Draymond Green (right elbow inflammation / soreness), Gary Payton II (right calf tightness / soreness) and Gui Santos (left knee tendinitis) are questionable, while Jimmy Butler III (right ACL repair / surgery), Moses Moody (left patellar tendon repair / surgery) and Kristaps Porzingis (not with team) are out.
Key stat: Orlando has struggled to win on the road against Golden State. The Magic have lost 12 of their last 13 road matchups against the Warriors.
Sweeney praised the performance of Carter and Franz Wagner against Phoenix. “I thought both of those guys did a great job.
Wendell really tried to provide physical toughness (and) was competitive on both ends. I thought (Franz Wagner) did a good job handling some of the pressure, delivering the basketball to guys when they were open.
So, both of those guys have some things that we can take and build from.” Carter posted 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Wagner had 15 points and 15 assists.
