Opinion: Magic reason why NBA’s number one seeds are going in opposite directions

Desmond Bane (YouTube)

The Orlando Magic continue to be one of the biggest stories of the 2026 NBA postseason. As the number eight seed in the Eastern Conference, they are now one win away from knocking out the top seed Detroit Pistons. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder had no problem whatsoever with the Phoenix Suns. OKC swept Phoenix in four games straight on Monday with a 131-122 win.

What we are seeing from the Magic is downright miraculous. After a 112-101 win over Detroit in game one, and a 113-105 Orlando win in game three, Orlando went up three games to one with another strong defensive performance on Monday night. This time, the Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 94-88 at home in game four of the first round playoff series.

Four Magic players reached double digits in scoring. Shooting guard Desmond Bane of Richmond, Indiana led the Magic attack with 22 points. Small forward Franz Wagner of Berlin, Germany had 19 points, power forward Paolo Banchero of Seattle, Washington had 18 points, and center Wendell Carter Jr. had 12 points. For the second straight game, Carter Jr. had the double-double, as he added 11 rebounds.

A key statistic in the game were turnovers. The Magic only turned the basketball over 12 times, while the Pistons turned the basketball over 20 times.

The series now shifts to Detroit for game five on Wednesday night. The Pistons were the best home team in the Eastern Conference this season with a record of 31 wins and nine losses. Any single mistake for Detroit over the next week, and their season could be over.