The Orlando Magic are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, and at least one former champion thinks their rise is no fluke. Brian Scalabrine stunned viewers on Peacock’s NBA Showtime when he said the Magic, not the Miami Heat or the New York Knicks, are the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Brian Scalabrine Claims Magic are the Best Team in the Eastern Conference
With the Magic climbing the standings and winning without Paolo Banchero, Scalabrine believes Orlando has the right mix of size, youth, and physicality to make a serious run this year.
Scalabrine shared his measured take during his segment.
“I think they are the best team in the Eastern Conference… they are big, they are physical, they have young guys,” he said, praising the Magic for dominating even without their star.
“They have everything you want, and they are doing it all without Banchero. If you look at since Banchero is out, number. 1 in the eastern conference in net rating….these guys plays the best basketball, they have aspiration….you know Tatum’s out of the Eastern Conference this year, they have to be thinking go to the finals.”
He added that with Jayson Tatum out this season, Orlando should be thinking about going to the finals.
The Magic have won eight of their last ten games and continue to climb the Eastern Conference ladder. They jumped from No. 11 to No. 9 in the NBA’s weekly power rankings and now sit fifth in the East with a 13–8 record.
It’s a remarkable turnaround after their early 1–4 stumble, followed by a steady recovery and their current three-game winning streak.
A major part of that success is the addition of Desmond Bane, who joined the roster in June 2025 and is averaging 18.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 45.5% shooting. He’s been on an absolute tear recently, erupting for 37 points in back-to-back games.
The Magic expects to be even stronger once they get healthy. Banchero has missed eight straight games with a left groin strain and will sit out the next matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.
Backup center Moe Wagner is also working his way back, and both returns could elevate the Magic into an even more dangerous team.
The Eastern Conference landscape is shifting as well. Boston is holding steady despite Jayson Tatum being out, but the 2025 finalist Pacers have collapsed to 4–17 with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined. Detroit Pistons, Heat, and Knicks remain the top three contenders, but the Magic are gaining ground fast.
The Magic have opened the three-game homestand with a 125-120 win against the Bulls. Next, they have matchups with the San Antonio Spurs and a rematch with the Heat.
With momentum building and reinforcements on the way, Scalabrine’s bold prediction suddenly doesn’t sound so far-fetched.
