Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley delivered an unconventional pregame speech before his team's biggest game of the season. With playoff hopes on the line following a bitter play-in loss to Philadelphia and a discouraging defeat to Boston, Mosley showed his players a three-minute highlight reel of their NCAA tournament glory days instead of typical film breakdown. The video featured Jalen Suggs' unforgettable 40-foot buzzer-beater to stun UCLA in 2021, along with moments from Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and others.

The message landed. The Magic destroyed the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 to clinch the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, with Banchero recording 25 points, six assists and five rebounds after scoring just 18 points on 7-for-22 shooting against the 76ers. "We realized the season ain't over," Banchero said. "For myself, the team, we felt like we let it go."

That win sparked something bigger. Orlando followed with a 112-101 Game 1 upset over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on the road, stealing home-court advantage. Banchero scored all 23 of his points in the first three quarters while Franz Wagner added 11 in the final period. The Magic rediscovered their identity — stifling defense, physicality and the swagger that troubled opponents all season.