The Orlando Magic fired head coach Jamahl Mosley on Monday after the team blew a 3-1 series lead to the Detroit Pistons and was eliminated from the playoffs.
Mosley took over as the Magic’s head coach prior to 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 and made three playoff appearances, but failed to get out of the first round.
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Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley directs his team against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of Game 6 of the first round NBA playoffs in Orlando, Fla., on May 1, 2026. (John Raoux/AP)
He finished as the 2024 NBA Coach of the Year runner-up as the Magic went 47-35 after a 34-win season in 2022-23.
“We are grateful to Jamahl for everything he has done for the Orlando Magic,” said Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman. “We appreciate his leadership and the positive contributions he made as head coach. While this was a difficult decision, we feel it is time for a new voice and perspective. We wish Jamahl and his family nothing but the best.”
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Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley cheers on 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 good position to upset the No. 1 seeded Pistons in the first round. The Magic had three plays to get the job done, but couldn’t pull it off. In one of those games, the Magic saw a 24-point lead disappear at home. In Game 6, Orlando missed 23 consecutive shots.
The Magic 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 feels that a new voice on the bench can help lift the franchise.
“It’s been (an) absolutely amazing journey with these guys,” Mosley said. “Their ability to grow, to communicate … we’re going to fight until the final horn sounds. And that’s what you’ve seen for the majority of those five years.”
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley yells at referee Curtis Blair during the second half of Game 5 of the first round NBA playoffs against the Detroit Pistons in Detroit on April 29, 2026. (Duane Burleson/AP)
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Mosley finishes as the third winningest coach in franchise history. He was behind Brian Hill (267) and Stan Van Gundy (259).
