Orlando Magic Fire Jamahl Mosley — Who Could Replace Him?
The Orlando Magic fired head coach Jamahl Mosley following a first-round playoff exit after squandering a 3-1 series lead and a 24-point advantage in Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons. Tensions between Mosley and star player Paolo Banchero, along with poor second-half performances, contributed to the decision. The Magic now seek a new coach, with Billy Donovan and Tom Thibodeau emerging as potential candidates.
- ▪The Orlando Magic lost Game 6 after blowing a 24-point lead, scoring only 19 points in the second half on 4-of-37 shooting.
- ▪Jamahl Mosley was fired despite leading the Magic to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.
- ▪Fractures between Mosley and Paolo Banchero became public, contributing to the coaching change.
- ▪Billy Donovan, recently stepped down from the Chicago Bulls, is considered a top candidate for the Magic's coaching vacancy.
- ▪Tom Thibodeau, known for revitalizing the New York Knicks, is another potential candidate for the job.
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By Megan ArmstrongShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.There was no coming back from Game 6.The 8-seed Orlando Magic held a 24-point lead over the 1-seed Detroit Pistons in Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series last Friday night. Improbably, Orlando got out to a 3-1 series lead over Detroit, so even after the Pistons won Game 5, the Magic still had a close-out opportunity in their building. All they had to do was hold a 24-point lead for two quarters to pull off the upset.Instead, the Magic scored 19 points in the second half, shooting 4-of-37 from the floor, and lost, 93-79.
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