On March 29, the Toronto Raptors handed the Orlando Magic their worst loss in franchise history, beating them 139-87 in Toronto. 

On Wednesday, nearly seven months to the day after the Magic were pummeled by the Raptors, they suffered another bad loss to them, falling 129-99 in Toronto to make them 1-3 in the 2026-27 season. 

So, despite the seven months between meetings, a new NBA season and a head coaching change for Orlando, Toronto remains in complete control when these two teams match up. 

And it is not going to get any easier for the Magic.

Wednesday's contest was the first of two that Orlando will play in Toronto this week. On Friday, the Magic and the Raptors kick off their Emirates NBA Cup schedule against one another.

After Wednesday's ugly loss, in which Orlando shot just 28.6% from 3-point range and committed 20 turnovers for 20 points, momentum is not playing in its favor. Sure, the Magic are dealing with injuries, and it would certainly help to have Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs on the floor, but the Raptors are also without Kawhi Leonard, and they were simply the better team on Wednesday.

The good news is that it is an 82-game season, and Orlando has another shot on Friday to prove that it can overcome its ugly performance.

Before pointing to anything else, Magic coach Sean Sweeney emphasized how turnovers hurt the team on Wednesday. He knows they have to be better in that area, and they look forward to improving in Friday's game.

Sweeney also touched on the rut the Magic's offense fell into. A common theme in their losses has been how much they have struggled from the 3-point line. 

For the most part, the team's best shooters are not converting. 

Specifically, Desmond Bane has proven to have a difficult time so far, and Wednesday was no exception as he went 3-for-14 from the field and 2-for-8 from 3-point range. 

Beyond Bane's struggles, Anthony Black, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. combined to go 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. Given the impact those four players have on winning, especially with Banchero and Suggs out of the fold, they must be better.

The silver lining in Orlando's shooting struggles is that Tristan da Silva has consistently been putting together strong performances. In the loss to the Raptors, he was Orlando's leading scorer with 20 points off the bench while shooting 80% from the field and 3-point range. 

Through the first four games, da Silva is averaging 14.5 points while shooting 51.2% from the field and 45.2% from the perimeter. Given how strong his performances have been, he could be who tips games in the Magic's favor if others can step up.