The Orlando Magic made head coach Jamahl Mosley the fall guy for their latest postseason failure.
Orlando confirmed Monday it fired Mosley after it blew a 3-1 lead in its best-of-seven series against the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs.
Magic release statement after firing Jamahl Mosley
“We’re grateful to Jamahl [Mosley] for all he’s done for the Orlando Magic,” Orlando president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said, per the team website. “We appreciate his leadership and positive contributions he made as a head coach. While this was a difficult decision, we feel it’s time for a new voice and fresh perspective. We wish Jamahl and his family nothing but the best.”
Mosley, 47, wasn’t stellar, going 189-221 in the regular season and 7-12 in the playoffs in five seasons in Orlando. The team went 45-37 in the regular season in his final year.
The coach, however, helped the Magic become a relevant player in the Eastern Conference. He guided Orlando to three straight playoff appearances over the past three seasons. Before his arrival, the club had not reached the postseason since the 2019-20 season. It hasn’t reached the second round of the playoffs since the 2009-10 season.