The Orlando Magic opened their preseason slate of games with a 122-118 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum in Memphis on Wednesday. 

It took some key performances for the Magic to win this game, let's identify them:

Of the 15 players who touched the floor for Orlando on Wednesday, forward​​ Tristan da Silva got the most playing time.

Da Silva logged 25 minutes and made the most of it, scoring 19 points on 6-for-16 shooting from the field and 4-for-10 from 3-point range. He also logged five rebounds and a steal in the effort.

For the Magic to be successful this season, da Silva needs to be a positive contributor off the bench. It is only the beginning, but he is heading in the right direction.

On the latest episode of the Full Court Magic Podcast, I pondered what the best version of this team would look like under coach Sean Sweeney. For Orlando to be at its best, it starts with the performances of its most elite players.

Desmond Bane falls in that category, and in his first return to Memphis since the Grizzlies traded him to Orlando in 2025, he was effective in his limited time on the floor.

In 13 minutes, Bane hit each of his three attempts from the perimeter for nine points. When the Magic traded for him, a driving factor in the deal was acquiring someone who could consistently hit shots from deep. 

Bane has proven he can do that, and he is off to a good start this season. Joining him with the hot hand was center Nikola Vucevic.

Vucevic logged 12 minutes off the bench and also went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc for nine points. He also recorded a steal and a blocked shot.

Another player I brought up in the latest episode of the Full Court Magic Podcast was Wendell Carter Jr., and I discussed what he needed to do for this team to be successful.

On Wednesday, Carter was very efficient from the field as he went 5-for-7 and 3-for-4 from 3-point range. At his best, Carter is a very solid stretch big, and he proved that in the win.

Again, it is very early, but the initial impressions are that these four players were ready to go, and they got plenty of support from teammates to secure the victory.