Magic Pop Corks Early to End 2025
There is a unique, slightly delirious rhythm to a 3:00 PM tip-off on a Tuesday. It feels less like a professional sporting event and more like a mandatory assembly at a high school where the principal is just trying to keep the seniors from leaving early.
But here we were, on New Year’s Eve, inside the Kia Center, watching the Orlando Magic take on the Indiana Pacers in a matinee that served as the final act of 2025. And frankly, the atmosphere was a vibe all its own.
A New Year’s Eve crowd is a special breed. You have the families trying to exhaust their children before the ball drops, and then you have the "part-time residents" who clearly started pre-gaming with mimosas at 10:00 AM. By the third quarter, the collective energy in the arena was somewhere between "unbridled joy" and "I need a nap before the fireworks."
Fortunately, the Magic didn't need a nap. They needed a statement. And they got one, dismantling the Pacers 129-115 in a game that was about as close as it sounds.
If you like defense, you probably hated watching the Pacers today. I’m not saying their lane was wide open, but I’m pretty sure I saw a Ford F-150 drive through the paint untouched during the second quarter. The Magic shot a blistering 54% from the field, largely because Indiana treated defensive rotations like optional suggestions.
The headline, as usual, was Paolo Banchero. He decided to end the year by reminding everyone why he’s the franchise. He dropped 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, playing with a level of disrespect that I frankly admire. He wasn’t just scoring; he was bullying people. At one point, he backed down a defender with such force that I think the guy legally has to pay rent in the low block now.
Then you have Franz Wagner adding a casual 24 points, slicing through traffic like he was late for a flight, and Jalen Suggs, who continues to be the heartbeat of this roster.
Suggs finished with 18 points and 4 steals, but the stats don't do it justice. Watching Suggs play defense is like watching a golden retriever chasing a tennis ball in a hallway—pure, unadulterated chaos and energy. We were up by 16 with three minutes left, and he was still diving for loose balls. Jalen, buddy, save the knees. We have a playoff run to make in April.
On the other side, Tyrese Haliburton got his numbers—22 points and 11 assists—but he had to work for every inch of it. The Magic defense suffocated the perimeter, forcing turnovers that turned into easy transition dunks.
This win was the perfect palate cleanser for the year. 2025 has been a long one. We’ve had our ups and downs, our questionable turnovers, and our rotation anxieties. But ending the calendar year by dropping 129 points on a conference rival? That tastes better than any overpriced champagne you’re going to pop at midnight.
So, drive safe on the 528 tonight. Watch out for the amateurs on the road. And when the clock strikes twelve, don’t kiss your spouse—kiss a picture of Franz Wagner. They’ll understand.
Happy New Year, Space Coast.
