Magic Making Most of Altered Schedule Due to Hurricane Milton

Orlando has two games of feedback to draw upon, from which Mosley gathered that besides the turnover issues, he took the competitiveness of his team as a positive. That's spilled over into the practice setting, leading the Magic to have an "unbelievable" session on their first day back from their road trip.

The next step, Mosley says, is for the group to take ownership and accountability while continually improving how they communicate with one another. The scrimmage offered insight into how the Magic are coming together on the floor, directing traffic and keeping their alignments in check in order to make smart decisions.

"It was a great day today," forward Paolo Banchero said. "The whole practice was basically just five-on-five competing. Obviously, with the preseason game canceled, you've got to make up for it. It was fun."

Rookie wing Tristan da Silva echoed the same sentiment. Because of the competitive fire the team played with, things got a little "chirpy" near the end, "but that's what it's all about."

"We're a competitive group, and P [Paolo Banchero] said at the end, none of this goes off the court," da Silva said. "It's business when we step in between those lines."

Orlando will simulate numerous game-like situations as best they can over the next week. They're not unique in their desire to be better in 10 days when they open the regular season in Miami than they are right now, and the intensity of practice will reflect that of an environment Orlando can capitalize on to ensure that development happens.

Still, there's a balance to strike with a young team in making sure the group doesn't burn out before the games start to matter.

"With this group, it's tough to hold them back and I think that's the beauty of who they represent," Mosley said. "They're a competitive group. They're going after each other night in, night out. I think that's great when we talk about iron sharpening iron and these guys making each other better."

The general sense of comfort the group shares around each other is evident in every setting. Often in low-pressure situations at the end of practice, various shooting games ensue, bringing both laughter and progression. Especially considering it was the first road trip of the season, albeit preseason, the camaraderie and chemistry the Magic can build off the floor contribute to their on-court connection.

Orlando is a tight-knit bunch of youngsters who are, in some senses, growing up together. That piece is a big reason why the team's enjoyment around one another off the floor translates to the success they find in their time together on it.

"For us, being on the road, us being able to stay together, be around each other off the court. A lot of guys get dinner off the court together, are able to spend more time with our staff," Mosley said. "I think those are very important pieces that we continue to build on as we move forward."

The Magic, presented with a tough scenario and forced to make diversions from their original plan, have been forced to make the best of it in the early going. As the coming days will show, Orlando's response has been as crucial as ever.