The Charlotte Hornets have named Charles Lee as their next head coach.

Steve Clifford has ended his Charlotte coaching tenure as the winningest coach in franchise history.

Nick Smith Jr. scored a season-high 24 points and Steve Clifford won his coaching farewell as the Charlotte Hornets rallied to beat the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers 120-110.

Steve Clifford is stepping down as coach of the Charlotte Hornets after the season.

Paolo Banchero had 22 points, Cole Anthony scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half and the surging Orlando Magic beat the Charlotte Hornets 101-89 for their ninth win in 11 games.

Doc Rivers won his 1,099th regular-season game to move into eighth place on the NBA’s list, Damian Lillard scored 26 points in his return from a two-game injury absence and the Milwaukee Bucks cruised past short-handed Charlotte 120-84 to send the Hornets to their 10th straight loss.

RJ Barrett scored 23 points, Jakob Poeltl had two big plays in the 90 seconds and the Toronto Raptors overcame a career-high 45 points from Miles Bridges to beat Charlotte 123-117 and hand the Hornets their ninth straight loss.

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges has been denied entrance to Canada due to his past legal problems and will not be available to play Monday night in Toronto against the Raptors, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

Damian Lillard went to Milwaukee, Bradley Beal went to Phoenix, Jrue Holiday ended up in Boston and Chris Paul ended up with Golden State.

LaMelo Ball’s first home game of the season didn’t go anywhere near as well as the All-Star point guard hoped.

The Charlotte Hornets say All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball will have an MRI on his injured left ankle.

Miles Bridges’ future with the Charlotte Hornets remains uncertain as the team opens training camp on Tuesday.

Steve Clifford is heading back to Charlotte.

DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points, Zach LaVine added 21 and the Chicago Bulls beat the Orlando Magic 123-88 on Friday night.

Julius Randle had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the New York Knicks improved to 2-0 for the first time since the 2012-13 season, cruising to a 121-96 win over the Orlando Magic.

Jamahl Mosley has agreed to become the new coach of the Orlando Magic.

Steve Clifford will no longer serve as the Orlando Magic’s head coach after he and the team “mutually agreed to part ways,” according to the Magic’s president of basketball operations.

Steve Clifford will not be back as coach of the Orlando Magic next season.

Tyrese Maxey had 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers beat the Orlando Magic 128-117 in a meaningless regular-season finale.

Kemba Walker returned from a four-game injury absence and tied a season high with 32 points and Evan Fournier had 18 points in his first game back in Orlando since being traded as the Boston Celtics routed the Magic 132-96.

Mo Bamba had 22 points and 15 rebounds — both career highs — and the Orlando Magic beat the Detroit Pistons 119-112.

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford has cleared NBA health and safety protocols for COVID-19 and will return to the bench Wednesday night against Boston.

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford will return to the court this week after testing positive for the coronavirus a couple of weeks ago, according to ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.

Cole Anthony made a 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds remaining, giving him a career-best 26 points, and the Orlando Magic defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 112-111 on Saturday night.

Dillon Brooks scored 20 points, Jonas Valanciunas added 14 points and 15 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Orlando Magic 92-75 on a poor shooting night for both teams.

Cole Anthony made the tiebreaking layup with 45 seconds left, and the Orlando Magic squandered a 23-point lead before edging the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-104 to snap a six-game losing streak.

Dennis Schroder scored 13 of 21 points in the fourth quarter, Anthony Davis added 18 points and eight rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Orlando Magic 114-103.

Malcolm Brogdon scored 24 points and the Indiana Pacers used a big third quarter to rout short-handed Orlando 131-112 on Sunday night in a game marred by Magic rookie Devin Cannady’s gruesome ankle injury.

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford has tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss multiple games while going through the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Zion Williamson scored 23 points in 23 minutes in his first game against Orlando, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Magic 135-100 on Thursday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

James Ennis scored 22 points, Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and 12 rebounds and the Orlando Magic snapped a six-game losing streak by beating the Chicago Bulls 115-106 despite big performances by Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.

DeMar DeRozan scored 19 points in just three quarters of work, Dejounte Murray added 17 and the San Antonio Spurs routed the slumping Orlando Magic 120-97.

Khris Middleton scored 21 points, Bobby Portis added 16 points, 10 rebounds and four 3-pointers off the bench and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Orlando Magic 124-87 to end a three-game losing streak.

Newly acquired guard Norman Powell scored 22 points and hit five 3-pointers in his Portland debut, and C.J. Portland won for a second night in a row and improved to 14-6 this season in back-to-back sets of games. Orlando rookie Chuma Okeke scored a career-best 22 points by making 9 of 15 shots and 4 of 6 3-pointers. Coincidentally, his father, Gary Trent, was also dealt from Portland to Toronto halfway through his third NBA season in 1998. Magic: Guard Michael Carter-Williams (illness) was scratched from the starting lineup, but entered the midway through the first period, while Terrence Ross (sore knee) missed his sixth straight game.

Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier shoots as he gets past Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)ORLANDO, Fla. – Evan Fournier scored the last of his 21 points on a driving layup over Phoenix center Deandre Ayton with 6.4 seconds left and the Orlando Magic beat the Suns 112-111 on Wednesday night. AdChris Paul scored eight of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for the Suns. Booker finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Ad“As of right now, I’m an Orlando Magic,” Gordon said. … Down as much as 13 in the early going, the Magic took its first lead at 47-46 on a Vucevic 3-pointer.

But the Nuggets won their sixth consecutive road game to tie a franchise record set twice previously, most recently in 2018. The Nuggets also won their ninth straight against the Magic and for the 16th time in 18 meetings dating to the 2003-04 season. Malone named each of the 10 victims of a massacre that took place approximately 28 miles from downtown Denver. He seemed aware that Wednesday’s game against Phoenix could be the last of his seven-season stint with the Magic. Magic: Orlando extended its streak of games with at least one 3-pointer to 1,100.

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle shoots over Orlando Magic center Khem Birch (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 18, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, Pool)NEW YORK – Julius Randle recorded his third triple-double of the season with 18 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 94-93 victory over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. Evan Fournier scored 23 points but Reggie Bullock stole his pass on Orlando's final possession as the Magic dropped their ninth straight. ...Instead of reading the play, I starting the play (thinking) ahead and I was anticipating (the Knicks double-teaming on a pick-and-roll). “I was going to find my teammates.”The Knicks held Orlando to 42.7% shooting from the field and 29.4% from 3.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jimmy Butler started Sunday night’s game against Orlando by winning the opening tip and ended it with a steal and win-sealing layup as the Miami Heat topped the Magic 102-97. In between, the standout guard was pretty good, too, helping the Heat win their fourth straight and for a 10th time in 11 games. Butler’s defense led to 23 Orlando turnovers and 26 points off those mistakes for the Heat. The Magic, who are 1-2 this season against the rival Heat, haven’t won since Feb. 21. … GM Anthony Parker and head coach Stan Heath of the G League champion Lakeland Magic attended Sunday’s game.

MIAMI – For the first time this season, the Miami Heat have a winning record. Miami opened the season with a loss to Orlando, and had gone 0-6 in opportunities this season to move over .500 — until Thursday. Tyler Herro scored 17 points, Kendrick Nunn had 13 and Goran Dragic added 11 for the Heat. All-Star Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points and a game-high 17 rebounds for the Magic, who have dropped six straight. MAGIC CHAMPSOrlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic, won that league’s championship Thursday by topping the Philadelphia-affiliated Delaware Blue Coats.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Luka Doncic had 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, Kristaps Porzingis played a nearly flawless second half and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Orlando Magic 130-124 on Monday night. Jalen Brunson scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half as the Mavericks broke open a close game. Nikola Vucevic had 29 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for the Magic, who dropped their fourth straight. “I just thought we’d be better defensively, and that was the difference in the game,” Magic coach Steve Clifford said. AdTIP INSMavericks: Doncic led Dallas in points, rebounds and assists for the 11th time this season.

NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving had 27 points and nine assists, James Harden scored 20 points and the Nets extended their longest winning streak since moving to Brooklyn to eight games with a 129-92 rout of the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. The Nets have the longest current winning streak in the NBA and their longest since a franchise record-tying 14-game run late in the 2005-06 season. Landry Shamet added 19 points and nine rebounds for the Nets, who blew open the game with a 26-4 run spanning halftime. AdNikola Vucevic had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, who dropped their second straight after a three-game win streak. Ad“We can’t start every game like how we’ve started the rest of the games during this kind of streak,” Irving said.

Lee, a rookie out of Vanderbilt on a two-way contract, made 8 of 11 shots and all three of his 3-pointers as the Pistons started fast and dominated the second half in a 105-93 win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. Following the 10th game of his NBA career, Lee was presented with the game ball by coach Dwane Casey in a joyous locker room celebration. Just two nights after battering the undersized Pistons for 37 points and 13 rebounds, Vucevic finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. Dennis Smith Jr. added 14 points for the Pistons, who shot 46.6% despite 10-for-34 shooting from 3-point range. Magic guard Evan Fournier, who scored season-highs of 28 and 29 points in the previous two games, had 14 points in the loss.

Phoenix’s Chris Paul is an All-Star for the 11th time, and Brooklyn’s James Harden is one for the ninth consecutive year. The rest of the reserves include Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic from the Eastern Conference, along with the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George, Utah teammates Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and Portland’s Damian Lillard from the Western Conference. Williamson is 20, and only Kobe Bryant, James and Magic Johnson were younger in their All-Star debuts. But this will be his first time in the All-Star Game itself. AdCOACHESUtah’s Quin Snyder will coach Team LeBron, and Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers will coach Team Durant.

The Knicks shot 6 of 20 in the third quarter and 12 of 48 (25%) in the second half as their season-best three-game winning streak ended. “It was a good team effort, especially since the Knicks have been playing well for the last seven games,” Ross said. In that second half, we were on the same page, tied together and we closed it out.”Ross made 10 of 16 shots and 5 of 6 3-pointers. AdRandle had 25 points and seven rebounds for New York, but Orlando limited him to eight points in the second half. Al-Farouq Aminu played in just his second game of the season for Orlando.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, dribbles against Orlando Magic forward Gary Clark during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. Curry knocked down 10 3-pointers on the way to 40 points and also contributed eight rebounds and five assists, leading the Golden State Warriors past the undermanned Magic 111-105 on Thursday night. “I just told him he looks great, he looks quick, he looks healthy, he looks like he’s loving it,” Clifford said. Nikola Vucevic had 25 points, 13 rebounds and five assists as the Magic lost a third straight game, seventh in eight and ninth of 11. ... Golden State hasn't lost two in a row at home this season.

ORLANDO, Fla. – In honor of Black History Month, the Orlando Magic held a virtual town hall on race this week. The event, titled “The State of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with the Orlando Magic,” took place Wednesday morning and included discussions with players, coaches and executives within the NBA organization. “We want to be out there, like I said, we don’t want to just do photo ops, you know? Team members said the Black History Month celebrations will continue with other events, including special in-game features on local Black-owned businesses, all of which will lead up to a big celebration later this month, when the Magic host the Utah Jazz. For more Black History Month stories, visit ClickOrlando.com/BlackHistoryMonth.

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, left, drives around Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)ORLANDO, Fla. – Fred VanVleet set a franchise record with 54 points and hit a career-best 11 3-pointers as the Toronto Raptors beat the short-handed Orlando Magic 123-108 on Tuesday night. AdNorman Powell had 23 points for Toronto, and Kyle Lowry posted a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Orlando, which has lost 12 of 14, tried almost every guard on its roster against the 6-foot-1 VanVleet with little to no success. AdMagic: Orlando was without Gordon, who severely sprained his left ankle later in Sunday’s game against Toronto. Magic: Orlando hosts Chicago on Friday and Saturday in a two-game set.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Paul George had 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Kawhi Leonard added 24 points and the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Orlando Magic 116-90 on Friday night in the two All-Stars’ returns following two-game absences because of COVID-19 protocols. The first NBA team to reach 15 victories, the Clippers beat the Magic for the 14th straight time — a streak that dates to Nov. 6, 2013. Leonard and George both played 28 minutes and were rested early after the lead ballooned to as much as 27 points in the fourth quarter. AdThe Clippers were a plus-27 with George on the floor and a plus-23 with Leonard. Serge Ibaka chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds for a Clippers team that is 13-2 this season when leading at halftime.

Hield scored a season-best 29 points by making 10 of 17 shots and 7 of 12 3-pointers as the well-rested Kings beat the Magic 121-107. “I thought it was his most consistent game this year, for sure, and maybe since I’ve been (with the Kings),” Walton said. The Kings proved themselves to be rested and ready in taking apart the Magic for their second road victory of the season. His 29 points points topped the 26 he had on Jan. 13 in Portland — a game where he made eight 3s. Rookie guard Cole Anthony, who scored a career-best 21 points in Monday’s defeat of Charlotte, made just 2 of 9 shots and scored seven points on Wednesday.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Magic rookie point guard Cole Anthony is getting more comfortable the more he plays in the NBA. Anthony’s comfort level showed Monday night when he posted a career-best scoring performance and outplayed fellow rookie guard LaMelo Ball. Anthony scored a career-best 21 points and got plenty of help from center Nikola Vucevic’s 13th double-double of the season as the Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets 117-108 to snap a two-game slide. Devonte Graham had 21 for Charlotte, which lost to the Magic for the fifth time in six meetings. “We had good momentum going into halftime and for whatever reason we came out flat in the third quarter,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said.

Orlando Magic's Evan Fournier (10) celebrates the game-winning basket by Cole Anthony at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Cole Anthony hit a hurried 3-pointer at the buzzer and the Orlando Magic stunned the Minnesota Timberwolves 97-96 on Wednesday night to stop a six-game losing streak. Jarred Vanderbilt missed a pair of free throws with a chance to ice the game for the Timberwolves. Vucevic scored 12 points while Minnesota shot 35% and Orlando led 25-21. Starting the day, the Timberwolves were 26th in the league in offensive rating and the Magic were 28th.

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) holds onto the ball before driving down court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, Pool)NEW YORK – R.J. Barrett scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds, and Julius Randle added 21 points and 17 rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 91-84 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday. Aaron Gordon had 18 points and 17 rebounds while Terrence Ross added 19 points for the Magic. The lead lasted for all of eight seconds, as Randle tied the game with a free throw. On New York’s ensuing possession, Randle hit a floater during a run in which the Knicks scored nine straight points.

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)NEW YORK – James Harden and Kevin Durant needed a little while to remember how to play together again. Once they did, the Brooklyn Nets really got rolling — and they might still get to another gear when Kyrie Irving rejoins them. Harden also had nine turnovers and Durant had six, with some sloppiness while Harden got used to his new teammates. They were much more competitive than the others, including a 124-97 loss in Boston on Friday, but didn't have enough answers for Durant or Harden. Nets: Durant has scored 25 or points in nine straight games, setting a new franchise record.

(AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)Another three NBA games were postponed Friday, including one in Minnesota only a couple hours before game time, as the league's struggle with increasing coronavirus numbers continued. The Timberwolves' game with the Memphis Grizzlies was called off, as were what would have been Wizards' home games Sunday and Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Washington has seen four of its games pushed back, Boston and Phoenix have had three postponements. The NBA said earlier this week that 16 players tested positive in recent days, which was more than the NBA had seen in the last five weeks combined. The NBA gave Orlando coach Steve Clifford a call recently, telling him he had to do a better job of keeping his mask on during games.

Antetokounmpo, the reigning two-time NBA MVP, started slowly and battled through second-half foul trouble before coming alive in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee won a second straight and beat Orlando for a fifth consecutive time in the regular season. Khris Middleton finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, while reserve Bobby Portis played well for a second straight game, scoring 20 points. The Bucks forced eight turnovers in the second quarter and 11 in the first half and turned those Magic mistakes into 17 points. 15 pick, the Magic informed Augustin that they wouldn’t be pursuing him in free agency.

DALLAS – Tim Hardaway Jr. scored a season-high 36 points, Trey Burke did the same with 29 and Luka Doncic had another triple-double as the short-handed Dallas Mavericks beat the Orlando Magic 112-98 on Saturday night. There were some times that it was just chaotic.”TIP-INSMagic: F Evan Fournier missed his fifth straight game with back spasms. ROLLER-COASTER QUARTERDoncic capped a roller-coaster third quarter by beating the buzzer with a long 3-pointer for an 85-75 lead. Mavericks: Dallas finishes a two-game homestand against New Orleans on Monday. The Mavericks swept the four-game season series in 2019-20, the first time they've done that in six years.

(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)HOUSTON – Christian Wood scored 22 points and tied a career high with 15 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to a 132-90 rout of the short-handed Orlando Magic on Friday night. Tucker with about five minutes left in the third. Houston’s starters didn’t play in the fourth quarter and coach Stephen Silas cleared the bench with about five minutes left and his team up 117-78. Harden had 15 points and 13 assists, and Tucker added 15 points. Rockets: McLemore made his season debut on Friday after missing the beginning of the season in quarantine for COVID-19 reasons.

Gordon broke out of a shooting slump Monday night, hitting six of nine 3-pointers on the way to a season-high 24 points as the Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-83. Gordon scored 13 points in the third as the Magic broke open a close game. Khem Birch added 12 points and 12 rebounds, while rookie guard Cole Anthony added nine points, five rebounds and four assists. Cedi Osman scored 13 of his 18 points in the first half and added seven rebounds and seven assists. Magic: Orlando hosts Cleveland again on Wednesday.

Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (7) react to a call during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)OKLAHOMA CITY – Nikola Vucevic had a season-high 28 points and 10 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-107 Tuesday night. Oklahoma City made only 4 of 13 free throws in the fourth, thwarting the Thunder’s hopes to rally. The Magic again pushed its lead out, this time to 53-43, but Oklahoma City pulled within 60-56 by halftime. The Thunder briefly pulled even at 80-80 on a 3-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander but Orlando led 87-85 entering the fourth quarter.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Joel Auerbach)The Miami Heat just wrapped up two consecutive days of practice, which is significant for this reason: It might not happen again for a while. Practice time is something that will be in short supply around the NBA this season; teams are basically playing every other day, and that — along with travel and mandated days off — realistically leaves time for no more than two practices per week. “I think you need to adjust and at least we’re all on an even playing field, so it’s all relative,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Every team in the NBA will have similar practice quandaries, which comes with the territory of having plenty of four-game weeks.

Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross (31) shoots as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) watches during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Washington. (Geoff Burke/Pool Photo via AP)WASHINGTON – The Orlando Magic beat Washington 130-120 on Saturday night, overcoming another triple-double by Russell Westbrook in his home debut for the Wizards. Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 17 rebounds, and Markelle Fultz added 21 points to help the Magic win its second straight to start the season. “I just hate losing.”Despite the triple-double from Westbrook and big night from Beal – who had 11 points in the fourth – the Magic were in control for most of the game. UP NEXTThe Magic and Wizards will complete their back-to-back in Washington on Sunday.

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots as Washington Wizards forward Isaac Bonga (17) and forward Deni Avdija (9) defend in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Washington. (Geoff Burke/Pool Photo via AP)WASHINGTON – The Orlando Magic beat Washington 130-120 on Saturday night, overcoming another triple-double by Russell Westbrook in his home debut for the Wizards. Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 17 rebounds, and Markelle Fultz added 21 points to help the Magic win its second straight to start the season. ... Two-way rookie guard Cassius Winston (hamstring strain) was inactive but has returned to practice…UP NEXTThe Magic and Wizards will complete their back-to-back in Washington on Sunday. It is the only meeting between the two Southeast division foes in the first half of the NBA schedule release.

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford talks to players during a timeout in the first half of the team's NBA preseason basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. The NBA preseason — a truncated 49-game, nine-day sprint — opened Friday with a five-game slate, action returning to NBA arenas for the first time in exactly nine months. 8 pick Obi Toppin of the Knicks, got their first NBA minutes. Paul George had 10 for the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard managed three in 14 minutes. Both teams shot exactly 30 for 84 from the field, and none of the Clippers' starters logged even 15 minutes.

Im very concerned if we can pull this off, Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said. “I’m very concerned if we can pull this off,” Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said. Golden State general manager Bob Myers said two Warriors have tested positive, meaning that club won't start individual workouts until Wednesday and won't have a full-scale practice until Monday. Washington coach Scott Brooks said the Wizards have one player who tested positive. And Orlando coach Steve Clifford said Magic center Mo Bamba — who tested positive several months ago — is still “a ways away” from being ready to play again.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Magic players and staff members woke up early Thursday to host a Thanksgiving breakfast for members of Central Florida’s homeless community. Retired NBA player and Magic community ambassador Bo Outlaw and his family were also a part of the event Thursday morning. Orlando Magic host annual Thanksgiving event at the Coalition for the Homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. (WKMG)John Beard, who said he’s had a very trying year, said he was grateful to have received a meal on Thanksgiving Day and thanked the Magic for their generosity. Thanksgiving breakfast was prepared for more than 400 homeless men, women and children at the Coalition, according to a news release.

Jen Cox poses for a photo on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, after voting early at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta. “This was an amazing, fantastic experience,” Jen Cox said after voting at State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks were the first NBA team to commit their arena for early voting. There are 30 early voting locations scattered around Fulton County, which stretches 70 miles (112 kilometers) north to south. Florida has early voting at venues used by the NBA’s Orlando Magic, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – For the first time ever, voters will have the chance to cast their ballots for early voting at the Amway Center. Early voting begins on Monday. Thursday afternoon, election workers with measuring tapes in hand set up and spaced out 50-60 voting booths six feet apart inside the Walt Disney World Atrium at the Amway Center. Mayor Dyer said he was thinking back to images of Atlanta’s State Farm Arena earlier this week with longs lines for its first day of early voting on Monday. Together, the teams wanted to open up the arenas NBA teams play in to encourage people to vote.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Amway Center played host to a National Voter Registration Day event on Tuesday. Of the 25, Cowles said 22 were Orange County residents and three were from Seminole County. | Gunman shoots 2 teens at skating rink | Michael Jordan forms NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace]Having the voter registration event at the Amway Center encouraged some to come out. He said Orlando Magic player Mo Bamba then started the initiative here and the team reached out to his office. And it’s something Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford said has been important for them as a team.

ORLANDO, Fla. Orlando Magic players and head coach Steve Clifford will meet with Orange County Sheriff John Mina on Friday to discuss policing in the community, according to the team. Its not known which Magic players will attend the meeting. The meeting comes days after NBA players refused to play in a protest of racial injustice after a Black man was shot in the back several times during a confrontation with police. While players and teams from baseball, the WNBA and MLS sat out their competitions Wednesday night, NBA players and coaches met for nearly three hours in a Disney hotel to determine next steps. It was announced Friday afternoon that NBA games will resume on Saturday at Disney World, where theyve been playing since resuming the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)It was only a week ago when the sky was falling on the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. The Bucks lead the Orlando Magic 3-1; the Lakers lead the Portland Trail Blazers 3-1. The bottom line is weve come out and competed so much harder.The wake-up call helped the Lakers as well. James teams went 5-5 in his first 10 series-clinching opportunities; theyre 30-5 in those situations since. NEED TO KNOW: If the Bucks win, the Eastern Conference first round would be completed in just 17 games.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Jeremiah Martin and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot each scored 24 points, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Orlando Magic 108-96 on Tuesday as both teams looked ahead to the playoffs. Dzanan Musa added 17 points and Tyler Johnson had 14 for the Nets, who improved to 5-2 in the restart with their third straight victory. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and the Magic eighth, the teams went with limited rosters while getting players extra rest. Starters Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris and Garrett Temple all sat for the Nets, who kept rolling even without them. The Magic beat the Nets in the restart opener for both teams in a game they led by 30.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. The Orlando Magic got a big win and a big loss Sunday. Gordon scored seven of the first nine points for the Magic, who shot 63% in the first half while building a 24-point halftime lead. Orlando shot 52% for the game and matched a season high with 18 3 pointers while shooting 47% from long range. ... Vucevic scored 12 points in the third quarter, when the Magic surged to their biggest lead. Magic: Play Indiana on Tuesday.

Isaac left the NBAs bubble at Walt Disney World on Monday for more tests on his left knee, to determine if additional damage was done when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament on a jump-stop Sunday night. Magic President Jeff Weltman went to visit Isaac before he left, with plans to cheer him up. No need: By then, Weltman said, Isaac was trying to comfort him, not the other way around. He wore a large brace to protect the knee, plus had it wrapped and still couldnt avoid another injury. There were no structures in the knee that were damaged in the first injury that were impacted in this most recent injury whatsoever.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Zion Williamson will be out of quarantine by the time New Orleans plays in the first official game of the NBA restart at Walt Disney World. The NBA said Saturday that Williamson will have to serve a four-day quarantine for leaving the leagues Disney bubble on July 16 to tend to an urgent family matter. He returned to Disney on Friday night and immediately went into quarantine. The most important thing is we hope everythings OK with him, Pelicans forward Derrick Favors said Saturday, shortly after the NBA revealed the four-day quarantine determination. COACHES PINSNBA coaches started wearing a large pin during games this weekend, the message reading Coaches for Racial Justice.Its not uncommon for NBA coaches to wear pins or ribbons to support various causes.

The NBA comes back Wednesday with a very different look. The leagues marketing motto for the restart of the season at Walt Disney World is Whole New Game, and in many respects, thats very true. Everything else about an NBA game setup is new. Ive just got to take it one game at a time, see what its like during these scrimmages, Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard said. Were looking at this as an opportunity to get better for both teams, Rivers said.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. A Florida lawmaker is announcing a new citizen task force aimed at police reform accountability in Orange County. "We are specifically focused on policy and procedure dealing with how law enforcement polices the community." The goal of the task force is to work towards action to discourage misconduct by law enforcement. "As concerned citizens, we are advocating for dialogue to be exchanged about policies and practices of law enforcement," Pastor Willie Barnes said. Members of the task force said plans are still in the very early stages, but listening sessions will happen over the next several weeks with law enforcement.

But two coaches said Saturday that once the league arrives at Disney, they would expect the NBAs visibility to be an asset again in the hope for actual change. Orlando coach Steve Clifford also seems convinced that the leagues players and coaches will take some sort of action when the season resumes. Well have a collective platform where everyone can collectively send a message condemning racism, racial injustice, calling for police accountability. Spoelstra has been on several calls with political leaders in South Florida in recent days for that same purpose. We all thought that that was going to move the needle and it didnt and it broke your heart, Spoelstra said.

TORONTO – The Orlando Magic hit Toronto on a three-game winning streak. Fred VanVleet scored 24 points, Pascal Siakam had 18 points and 11 rebounds and the defending champion Raptors beat the Magic 113-97 on Wednesday night. ... Orlando scored 32 points in the first quarter but just 36 in the second and third combined. NOT SO FASTFor the first time this season, Toronto was outscored on fast break points. Orlando scored 16 fast break points while the Raptors had five, the first time this season they’ve scored fewer than 11.