Magic's Sean Sweeney Takes Accountability Ahead of Road Trip

The Orlando Magic have not had any luck at home in the early days of the 2026-27 NBA season, as they are now 0-4 in the Kia Center. However, they have been solid on the road. 

Through three road games this season, the Magic are 2-1. The two wins they have earned have come against the defending champion New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors to kick off the Emirates NBA Cup.

When Orlando kicks off its West Coast slate on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns, it will do so as a 2-5 basketball team. But even with the struggles the Magic have faced, coach Sean Sweeney believes that the best thing for his team to do is continue building on what they have done well while correcting mistakes. 

In Sweeney's view, accountability is not limited to the players, but to himself and the coaching staff as well. Fundamentally, Sweeney has been happy with his team's approach. He knows that the upcoming road trip can serve as a chance for Orlando To continue building chemistry and become closer as a team. 

By extension, Sweeney believes that the Magic will become better because of it. One such area Orlando once again has struggled in has been 3-point shooting.

In Monday's loss to the Washington Wizards, the Magic shot just 28.2% from the perimeter. What is interesting, though, is that, according to NBA.com, they have the best 3-point percentage in the league in road games so far at 41.4%. 

Orlando has shown that it is capable of knocking down these shots in hostile environments, and there is a good chance to keep it up against a struggling Suns team that is 1-4 at the time of writing.

The Magic also have to improve in terms of creating opportunities on offense. At the time of writing, they are tied with the Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks for 17th place in assists per game (25.9). Sweeney said he loves the percentage of shots that are assisted, but he believes the decision-making and the spacing have to continue to improve. 

He used Orlando's 108-97 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday as an example. There would be times when the Celtics would bring multiple players to the ball, but the extra pass was not being made, and it ultimately hurt the effort on offense. 

Sweeney understands that the Suns may create a similar problem. He pointed to their propensity to bring on-ball pressure and use aggressiveness to shrink the floor behind the basketball. 

Beyond star guard Devin Booker, Sweeney also knows that the Magic have to be ready to defend the other shooters that will be on the floor for Phoenix.

Ultimately, for the Magic to be successful, they have to be alert, willing to pass, convert shots on a consistent basis, and make the right plays on defense.