The Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs are two of the more exciting young teams in the league.
The Spurs, led by Rookie of the Year winners Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, have had an excellent start to the season, posting a 32-16 record. The Magic have had a rough start, ravaged by injuries for the second straight season, and are 25-22. The Magic snapped a four-game losing streak with impressive wins over the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors to set up what was supposed to be a Sunday afternoon showdown in San Antonio. Instead, the game will tip off at 9 p.m. ET.
Why Was the Magic-Spurs Game Postponed?
The Spurs and Magic game was originally scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, but the start time was pushed back to 9 p.m. ET.
SCHEDULE UPDATE FOR SUNDAY, FEB. 1:
The Orlando Magic at San Antonio Spurs game will now tip off at 9 p.m. ET due to Spurs’ travel issues today.— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 1, 2026
Weather-related issues across the country have caused delays and disruptions, and the NBA was not spared, with teams having to deal with travel issues.
The Spurs are coming off a 111-106 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday and were unable to leave Charlotte until Sunday morning. Their flight was diverted to Atlanta because of what the team described as a “minor mechanical issue.”
The plane landed around 11 a.m., and the Spurs departed a few hours later.
The NBA initially moved the tipoff to 7 p.m. ET, but with continued travel complications, it was pushed back again.
The Magic, meanwhile, are coming off two strong wins, beating the Heat in Miami before rallying in the fourth quarter to defeat the Raptors on Friday night.
They arrived in San Antonio on Saturday morning and should be the fresher team Sunday night.
Franz Wagner Out, Victor Wembanyama Questionable
When the teams finally take the floor Sunday night, the Magic will be without one of their stars, and the Spurs could be missing their top players.
The Magic have dealt with injuries throughout the season. Paolo Banchero missed 10 games, while Jalen Suggs recently returned after a 20-game absence and has provided a spark. However, Orlando has been without its leading scorer this season, forward Franz Wagner (22.2 points per game), who has been ruled out for Sunday’s game with “ankle injury management.”
Wembanyama (left calf soreness) and Castle (left adductor tightness) are both listed as questionable. If Wembanyama is unable to play, expect increased minutes for former Celtic Luke Kornet, while rookie Dylan Harper, Harrison Barnes, and Julian Champagnie would be tasked with carrying the load in Castle’s absence.
Wembanyama is having another standout season, averaging 24.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. Castle is averaging 16.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds.
The Magic are led by Banchero, who is the team’s second-leading scorer (21.8 points per game), leading rebounder (8.8 per game), and assists leader (4.9 per game). Anthony Black (16.0 points, 4.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds per game) has emerged as a Most Improved Player candidate after filling in as a starter for both Suggs and Wagner. Desmond Bane (19.3 points per game) has also provided the third scoring option Orlando has lacked in recent seasons, a development that could be critical in the postseason if Banchero and Wagner are healthy.
The teams last met in December, when the Spurs held off a furious Magic comeback. Kornet blocked Wagner’s layup attempt at the buzzer to seal a 114-112 victory.
After all the delays, both teams will hope for another finish as entertaining as the first.
