Magic Close Preseason With 136-115 Win Over the Heat, but Injuries Raise Concerns

The Orlando Magic wrapped up their preseason Friday night with a 136-115 win over the Miami Heat at the Kia Center, finishing 3-1 under new head coach Sean Sweeney. Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 24 points, followed by Desmond Bane with 23, including seven 3-pointers. But with the regular season just days away, the win also brought some injury concerns.Miami led 36-34 after the first quarter before Orlando took a 70-65 lead into halftime. The Magic returned with their starters in the third while the Heat went with their reserves, but Miami still managed to tie the game. Orlando answered with back-to-back threes to regain control, with Banchero helping push the lead into double digits.

The Magic entered the fourth ahead 108-95 and continued pulling away. Jamal Cain added 14 points off the bench, while Nikola Vučević scored 13 in his first game back at the Kia Center since returning to Orlando.The bigger concern was the number of players leaving the game. Franz Wagner exited with right shoulder soreness, Noah Penda with right hamstring tightness, and Jase Richardson with a sore lower back. Anthony Black, Jonathan Isaac and Izaiyah Nelson were already sidelined. Sweeney said the three injured during the game would be reevaluated. Orlando now turns its attention to Wednesday's regular season opener against the Atlanta Hawks at home.