Magic Fire Coach Jamahl Mosley After Playoff Exit to Pistons

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 before the 2021-22 season. He had spent 14 seasons as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks. His record with Orlando stood at 189-221, with three playoff appearances but no advancement past the first round.

He finished second in NBA Coach of the Year voting in 2024. The Magic went 47-35 that season after winning 34 games in 2022-23.

“We’re grateful to Jamahl for all he’s done for the Orlando Magic,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said. “We appreciate his leadership and the positive contributions he made as head coach. While this was a difficult decision, we feel it’s time for a new voice and fresh perspective. We wish Jamahl and his family nothing but the best.”

Orlando sat in strong position to upset the No. 1-seeded Pistons in the first round. The Magic needed to win just one of their final three games but failed. In one loss, they saw a 24-point home lead disappear. Game 6 featured Orlando missing 23 straight shots.

The Magic have built a core around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane. All four players remain under contract for the coming years. The organization believes a new coach could lift the team higher.

“It’s been an absolutely amazing journey with these guys,” Mosley said. “Their ability to grow, communicate ... we’re going to fight until the final horn goes off. And that’s what you’ve seen for a majority of the five years.”

Mosley ends as the third-winningest coach in franchise history, behind Brian Hill (267 wins) and Stan Van Gundy (259).