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Orlando Magic set embarrassing mark while winning division

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 9:59 AM ET

The Orlando Magic are having a nice season and will be headed to the play-in tournament, and they even won their division this season. But they set an embarrassing mark while doing so.

The Magic lost to the Atlanta Hawks 117-105 on Sunday to finish the year 41-41. Despite the loss, they still won the NBA’s Southeast division by a game over the Hawks. Orlando became the first team since the ABA-NBA merger to win their division without a winning record.

Congratulations to the Southeast Division-champion Orlando Magic, the first team without a winning record to win a division since the NBA-ABA merger.
— Dan Feldman (@DanFeldmanNBA) April 13, 2025

That mark reflects worse on the division than the Magic. It’s also a poor reflection of the Eastern Conference, which is weaker overall than the West.

Despite being part of an embarrassing stat, the Magic should be proud overall of their season given their circumstances. Mo Wagner and Jalen Suggs both suffered season-ending injuries early in the season. Paolo Banchero has only played in 46 games due to a torn oblique. And Franz Wagner has also missed time due to a torn oblique injury.

For Orlando to still be in the play-in as the 7-seed despite their injuries is no small feat.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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