Paolo Banchero recorded 33 points, making it the first time since Tracy McGrady in 2002 that a Magic player scored 30-plus on opening night, Gary Harris made six of Orlando’s 18 3-pointers, and the Magic’s defense following an elongated halftime was smothering in Wednesday’s 116-97 victory over the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center.

The night began as a celebration for Miami Heat team president Pat Riley. It ended with an ugly loss to the Orlando Magic in the season opener at Kaseya Center. On the night the Heat named the court after Riley,

It’s rare that Pat Riley doesn’t get to make the final call when it comes to Miami Heat matters. After all, he is the president. The person in charge.

The 2024-25 regular season is here for the Orlando Magic, and it starts just down the road against the Heat, their bitter in-state rival. The open