Orlando Magic

A young Magic team took a major step forward in 2023, securing their first playoff berth since the 2019-20 season and narrowly missing out on home-court advantage. Improved health for their young core was a contributing factor to the turnaround as the team dropped their total games lost to injury or illness for a third consecutive season. The 138-game improvement in games lost marked the second biggest improvement in the NBA last year.

The Magic weren’t completely without injury as Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr. each missed prolonged periods of time during the regular season. Fultz’ chronic knee issues sidelined him for 25 games while Carter broke his left hand in early November and missed the next 20 outings.

Carter underwent a second surgery on his hand during the offseason. The procedure was designed to stabilize the bone in hopes of preventing reinjury. Unfortunately, Carter sustained an ankle sprain during preseason action and his availability to start the season remains uncertain.

Keeping Carter and the rest of his teammates health and ready to build on last season, falls in the hands of High Performance Director Arnie Kander and Head Athletic Trainer Ernest Eugene. Kander has led some of the most successful medical groups in the NBA during his time in the league, including championship experience while with the Pistons. The medical unit will continue to work out of the AdventHealth Training Center, a redesigned practice and sports performance facility that opened in 2022.