The Magic played the second half of their win over the Knicks on Saturday without their head coach on the sideline. Jamahl Mosley was questionable to return because of an illness, the team announced, as assistant coach Joe Prunty took over head-coaching duties. Mosley ended up never returning to the game.
Despite missing their top guy, the Magic came away with the 133-121 win over the Knicks to improve to 10-7 on the season. Mosley went through his usual postgame media availability, so that was a positive at least going forward.
“Better now,” Mosley said about his condition. “Light-headed. Almost dizzy on the sideline. Got kicked in. Probably shouldn’t have been yelling at (referee) Karl (Lane) like that. That started it. But much better now. It was scary. But, for the most part, way better now. Our guys did a great job. You gotta credit the guys, the coaches, just for coming in and holding our standard and doing our standard."
The Magic play the Celtics at 6 p.m. Sunday in Boston as part of the back-to-back, so it’s unclear what Mosley’s status will be for the game. Orlando has climbed out of its slow start as it’s won six of its last seven games.
However, the Magic have been without Paolo Banchero due to a groin injury. He’s sat the last five games and it’s been unclear when he will return to the court. Banchero has averaged 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 12 games this season.
The Celtics and Magic will meet for already the third time this season. They split their first two meetings, both in Orlando, as it was part of a mini-series. The Magic got the 123-110 win Nov. 7, then the Celtics came out on top 111-107 on Nov. 9.
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