The Orlando Magic fired head coach Jamahl Mosley on Monday after the team blew a 3-1 series lead against the Detroit Pistons and was eliminated from the playoffs.
Mosley took over as head coach of the Magic before the start of the 2021-22 season after spending 14 seasons as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks. He was 189-221 with Orlando, making three playoff appearances but failing to advance out of the first round.
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Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley leads his team against the Detroit Pistons in the first half of Game 6 of the first round of the NBA playoffs in Orlando, Florida on May 1, 2026. (Jean Raoux/AP)
He finished second in the 2024 NBA Coach of the Year voting as the Magic went 47-35 after a 34-win season in 2022-23.
“We are grateful to Jamahl for all he has done for the Orlando Magic,” said Jeff Weltman, Magic president of basketball operations. “We appreciate his leadership and the positive contributions he has made as head coach. Although this has been a difficult decision, we believe it is time to embrace a new voice and perspective. We wish Jamahl and his family the best.”
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Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley encourages his team during the first half of Game 5 of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Detroit Pistons in Detroit on April 29, 2026. (Duane Burleson/AP)
Orlando was in excellent position to upset the No. 1 seed Pistons in the first round. The Magic had three games to get the job done, but couldn’t get it done. In one of those games, the Magic saw a 24-point lead evaporate at home. In Game 6, Orlando missed 23 consecutive shots.
The Magic have built a corps around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane, all of whom are under contract for the foreseeable future. The organization clearly believes a new voice on the bench could help elevate the franchise.
“It’s been an absolutely incredible journey with these guys,” Mosley said. “Their ability to grow, to communicate…we’re going to fight until the last horn sounds. And that’s what you’ve seen for the majority of five years.”
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley shouts at referee Curtis Blair during the second half of Game 5 of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Detroit Pistons in Detroit on April 29, 2026. (Duane Burleson/AP)
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Mosley will finish as the third winningest coach in franchise history. He was behind Brian Hill (267) and Stan Van Gundy (259).
