The Orlando Magic will play one of their final two games in the 2025-26 regular season when they face the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. After Friday’s shootaround, both Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero talked about what the team’s mindset is heading into the game.

“I mean, all the focus is on us,” Bane said. “You know, Chicago, they got a lot of guys in and out. We know they're going to play hard and play their brand of basketball.

“But, you know, we're continuing to focus on us and how we can be better and, you know, start prioritizing the things that are going to help us as we get down this final stretch.”

Banchero emphasized how important this game and the next one will be.

“Yeah, we just got to be ready to play from the start,” Banchero said. “Can't take our opponent lightly at all. We need these last two games. 

“And yeah, I mean, you're trying to build up for the postseason as well too. So, you don't want to put up any bad performances.”

The Magic are winners of four-straight games after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in their final home game of the regular season. Orlando currently owns the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and will visit the Boston Celtics on Sunday after visiting the Bulls on Friday.

The Bulls will have several players sidelined, but Bane understands that they cannot be overlooked.

“Yeah, I mean, shoot, Chicago's given us problems all year,” he said. “I mean, regardless of who's been in or out of the lineup, they share the ball, they play fast, they touch the paint.

So, it's going to be a challenge regardless of who suits up for them.”

Chicago has defeated Orlando in two of the first three meetings during the season, including the most recent game by a score of 121-114.

There is also an emphasis on making sure the Magic maintain good communication down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.

“Yeah, I mean, I think that's vital,” Banchero said. “Definitely all of us being on the same page and just having communication while the game's going on, before the game, with game plans, after the game.”

Another point of emphasis for the Magic is that they are returning key players to the lineup that have been injured, such as Franz Wagner and Anthony Black.

After missing nearly a month with an abdominal strain, Black is still trying to work himself back to form, and Bane wants him to remain patient.

“I think he's had a good approach,” Bane said. “You know, I told him when he came back, ‘just give yourself some grace.’ You know, he missed about a month of not playing.

“So, not everything's going to be exactly how you want it right away. But, you know, I think he's in a good spot.”

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