Magic had the worst playoff half ever to lose Game 6

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Magic had the worst playoff half ever to lose Game 6

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated May 1, 2026 10:23 PM ET

The Orlando Magic became a first-ballot entrant into the Hall of Infamy on Friday for how badly they choked in Game 6 of their first-round series against the Detroit Pistons.

The Magic, leading 60-38 at halftime, looked like they were 24 minutes away from celebrating a series upset in front of their home fans at Kia Center in Orlando, Fla. Few could have guessed the historic offensive futility that would follow after the break.

Orlando was outscored 55-19 in the second half, emphasized by a run of 23 consecutive misses from late in the third quarter to the last few minutes of the final period.

Pistons have taken the lead on the Magic

Orlando has missed 17 straight shots pic.twitter.com/Dyb9e0Wloy
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 2, 2026

Paolo Banchero ended the streak with a dunk at the 2:24 mark of the contest, but it came way too late. The Pistons had already built up a double-digit lead, and the Magic players were visibly hanging their heads by that point.

The run of 23 straight missed field goals was the worst in NBA history in the play-by-play era, which dates back to the 1998 playoffs.

The Magic just went 45 min of real time between made baskets (8:46 ET to 9:31 ET)

Magic: 23 consecutive missed FGA, the most consecutive missed shots by any team in a playoff game in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98).

Only 2 other teams missed 20+
•2001 Kings: 22 straight…
— Jorge Sedano (@Sedano) May 2, 2026