The Orlando Magic couldn’t finish off the Detroit Pistons in Game 5, but they’ll have a chance to advance to the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs in front of their home fans.
With Franz Wagner out with a calf injury, the Magic weren’t able to keep up with the Pistons on April 29, losing 116-109 to extend their first-round series. Detroit and Orlando both got a career playoff-high 45 points from their stars, Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero, but the Pistons got more help from the supporting cast, with Tobias Harris tossing in 23 and Jalen Duren and Duncan Robinson adding 12 apiece.
Orlando still has two attempts to polish off just the seventh upset of an 8 seed over a 1 seed in NBA history, starting with Game 6 on Friday, May 1 at the Kia Center. Before Miami took down top-seeded Milwaukee in five games in 2023, the three other 8 seeds who won a seven-game series needed six games to pull off their upsets with each losing Game 5. The Magic are seeking their first appearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals since 2010.
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The Pistons’ win means every Eastern Conference first-round series will go to at least six games. The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, who would be opponents in the second round, play tonight to avoid a Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks, respectively.
Did the Magic win last night?
No. Detroit kept its season alive with a 116-109 win in Game 5 of their first-round series. The Magic still lead the best-of-seven series three games to two.
When is next Magic game?
Game 6 of the Magic-Pistons series will take place Friday, May 1 at Kia Center in Orlando. The game will be broadcast exclusively via streaming on Prime Video. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET.
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Magic vs Pistons tickets
As of Thursday morning, April 30, tickets for Magic vs. Pistons Game 6 were available for $95 on StubHub. Seats in the lower bowl were available for $204.
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This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Magic vs Pistons plays on. Game 6 TV schedule, NBA bracket update
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
