ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic's preseason didn't get off to the start they had hoped as they were dominated by Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies 109-97.

Cole Anthony led the Magic in scoring with 17 points and also had five rebounds.


What You Need To Know

  • The Orlando Magic began their preseason with a 109-97 loss to Memphis

  • Cole Anthony led the Magic in scoring with 17 points

  • No. 1 overeall pick Paolo Banchero had eight points and two rebounds

  • Orlando committed 23 turnovers and 27 fouls

No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero scored eight points and had two rebounds in his first preseason game.

Morant totaled 25 points for Memphis.

Orlando fouls resulted in 34 free-throw attempts for Memphis, resulting in 27 points. The Magic went 9-for-13 on free-throw attempts. Orlando also committed 23 turnovers.

The performance fell short of coach Jamahl Mosley’s calls to “level up” their play this season. The Grizzlies, who could provide a good model for the Magic to follow, were one of the NBA’s hottest young teams last season. Memphis made it to the Western Conference semifinals before falling to the eventual-champion Golden State Warriors.

The game was not televised but was broadcast on the Magic’s radio partner, 96.9 (FM) the Game, and the Magic Radio Network.

After Magic TV broadcasters Jeff Turner and David Steele had simulcast coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, the radio broadcast got a new play-by-play announcer. Jake Chapman, who previously had hosted pregame and postgame shows for the Magic’s radio broadcasts and produced Orlando's podcast content, made his debut, and Turner provided color commentary..

In other Magic-related news, The DeVos Family Foundation on Friday announced a $1 million donation to assist with Hurricane Ian relief efforts in Central Florida and across the state. It is directing $500,000 to the Hurricane Recovery Fund set up by the Heart of Florida United Way and the Central Florida Foundation and $250,000 to the state Florida Disaster Fund. It has set aside $250,000 for rebuilding efforts. The DeVos family are the owners of the Magic.