The Orlando Magic visit the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday with both teams trying to find consistency early in the 2026-27 season and without key pieces of their rosters. Orlando enters 1-2, Toronto 2-1, and the game marks the first meeting of the season series between the two clubs. With Paolo Banchero and Kawhi Leonard both sidelined, the Magic vs Raptors matchup turns on which supporting cast steps up.
Orlando Magic Vs Raptors Game Information
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 28
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
- TV/Streaming: NBA League Pass
- Series: First meeting of the 2026-27 season series
How Banged Up Are Both Rosters?
Orlando is without five players. Paolo Banchero is out with a right ankle sprain and is not expected back until Nov. 22. Jalen Suggs (right knee) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee) are also out, along with Noah Penda (right hamstring strain) and Izaiyah Nelson, who is recovering from left ankle surgery. Isaac has the closest target date among the group, Oct. 30.
Toronto is missing two frontcourt pieces. Kawhi Leonard is out with left knee inflammation and is not expected to return until Nov. 23. Nate Bittle is also out with a right foot fracture, with a projected return of Nov. 2. Those absences shift more defensive responsibility onto Scottie Barnes and the Raptors’ remaining depth up front.
Who Is Expected To Start Without Banchero And Leonard?
With Banchero, Suggs and Isaac all out, Franz Wagner is projected to anchor Orlando’s lineup after leading the team in both scoring (21.0 points per game) and assists (6.3) through three games. Wendell Carter Jr., averaging 8.7 rebounds, is expected to remain the primary presence in the frontcourt.
For Toronto, RJ Barrett is projected to lead the scoring load again after averaging 21.0 points per game, while Scottie Barnes (7.7 rebounds per game) and Immanuel Quickley (5.0 assists per game) round out the expected starting group with Leonard sidelined.
What Does Recent Form Say About Each Team?
The Raptors have split their last five games, including a 135-92 win over the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21 and a 112-102 win at the Washington Wizards two days later, but they dropped their most recent outing 117-94 at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 25. Toronto sits second in the Atlantic Division at 2-1, half a game behind Philadelphia.
Orlando has alternated wins and losses through its first three games, most recently beating the New York Knicks 111-102 on Oct. 25. That win came after consecutive losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Magic are 1-2 and sit 1.5 games back in the Southeast Division, carrying a one-game winning streak into Toronto.
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Toronto 113.7, Orlando 109.7
- Field goal percentage: Orlando 45.1%, Toronto 42.4%
- Two-point field goal percentage: Orlando 56.6%, Toronto 51.3%
- Three-point percentage: Orlando 32.2%, Toronto 26.2%
- Assists per game: Orlando 27.3, Toronto 25.3
- Turnovers per game: Toronto 14.0, Orlando 17.0
- Offensive rebounds per game: Toronto 16.3, Orlando 9.0
- Defensive rebounds per game: Orlando 34.7, Toronto 29.7
- Steals per game: Toronto 14.0, Orlando 7.7
- Blocks per game: Toronto 6.0, Orlando 4.3
Key Matchup: Toronto’s Offensive Boards Against Orlando’s Depleted Frontcourt
Toronto is averaging 16.3 offensive rebounds per game compared to just 9.0 for Orlando, a gap that could grow in significance with both Banchero and Isaac unavailable to help on the glass. The Raptors also hold a sizable edge in takeaways, averaging 14.0 steals per game to Orlando’s 7.7, numbers that put pressure on a Magic offense already working through 17.0 turnovers per game.
Orlando’s counter is its shooting efficiency. The Magic are hitting 56.6% on two-point attempts and 32.2% from three, both better marks than Toronto’s 51.3% and 26.2% in the same categories. If Orlando can limit second-chance opportunities for the Raptors, its cleaner shooting profile gives it a path to control the scoreboard.
What To Watch
Both teams are trying to climb divisional standings that remain tightly bunched in late October. Toronto sits half a game out of first in the Atlantic, while Orlando is 1.5 games back in the Southeast. With Leonard and Banchero out for extended stretches, how each team’s remaining rotation handles increased minutes figures to shape the early standings picture heading into November.
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