Orlando Magic force Game 7 after historic offensive collapse against Detroit Pistons
The franchise's seventh consecutive failure to reach the second round follows a record-breaking offensive implosion at the Kia Center.
The Orlando Magic suffered a stunning defeat in Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons, surrendering a 22-point halftime lead to lose 93-79. The contest, played at the Kia Center, ended with the series tied 3-3, forcing a decisive seventh game that will take place on the road in Detroit.
The second half of the match descended into a historic offensive implosion for the hosts. The Magic missed 23 consecutive field goals, setting an NBA record for the longest shooting drought in playoff history. According to ESPN Research, this streak lasted more than 14 minutes of game time and 45 minutes of real time, marking the worst field-goal percentage by any team in a regular season or playoff half since digital tracking began in 1997-98.
Orlando managed to score just 19 points after the break, shattering the previous record for the lowest playoff half score. That previous benchmark of 23 points had been set by the Utah Jazz in 1998 and matched three separate times previously. The Magic, who finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 60-win record, struggled significantly with offensive efficiency, tying for the third-worst 3-point shooting percentage in the league at 34.3%.
Detroit capitalised on the Magic's futility to mount a dramatic comeback. Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham was instrumental in the turnaround, scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter alone to complete the rally. The Pistons turned a nine-point deficit in the final quarter into a comfortable victory, overcoming the league's third-stingiest defence.
Head coach Jamahl Mosley acknowledged the pressure before the contest, describing the situation as a privilege, but admitted the reality of the collapse. "This does suck," Mosley said, noting the sting of letting go of a 24-point lead. He emphasised that while the loss hurts, the team must bounce back to seize the opportunity in Game 7.
The result extends Orlando's poor playoff history, as the franchise has not reached the second round in 16 years, bowing out in the conference quarterfinals in each of their last seven appearances. With the series now level, the Magic must win on the road to avoid elimination, a historical improbability given the team's 23-54 all-time postseason record.
