Sports
Orlando Magic Fall to Chicago Bulls 110-98 Despite Strong Effort in the Paint
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Orlando Magic fell to the Chicago Bulls 110-98 Friday night at Kia Center, struggling to find their rhythm despite several strong drives to the basket. Head Coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized that turnovers and missed shots at the rim were key factors in the loss, underscoring the team’s ongoing focus on converting defensive stops into offensive momentum.
Turnovers Disrupt Momentum
Coach Mosley acknowledged that turnovers significantly disrupted the Magic’s offensive flow and transition game. “A ton,” Mosley said. “Between turnovers and missed shots at the rim, you give them what says on the stat sheet 22 fast break points, but it’s probably more than that. We were getting to the rim, which I love, but now we’ve got to convert those defensive stops into offense—something we’ve emphasized since training camp.”
The Bulls capitalized on those mistakes, creating transition opportunities that kept the Magic on their heels for much of the game.
Frustrations and Finishing Challenges
When asked about the team’s frustration with missed looks, Mosley remained optimistic, calling it part of the process. “If we weren’t getting great looks, there’d be something to talk about. But the fact that we were getting downhill, touching the paint—that’s positive. Now, we’ve got to finish. That’s something we can fix with extra reps and gym work.”
Despite the offensive struggles, Mosley praised the team’s resilience. “It’s not going to be your night every night from a shot-making standpoint. But we’ve got to make sure we sit down and get stops. That’s what got us back into it.”
Rookie Jase Richardson Provides a Spark
Rookie guard Jase Richardson impressed fans and teammates alike with his high energy and confidence off the bench. “He came in with a great amount of energy,” said Mosley. “You heard the crowd when he checked in. He’s not afraid of the moment and was ready for the opportunity.”
Mosley added that lineup rotations will continue to evolve early in the season as the coaching staff tests different combinations. “At the beginning of the year, you’re looking at rotations—what works and when. It’s going to keep fluctuating, and our guys need to be ready to step into each moment.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
New team will debut at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027 as fans help shape the franchise’s identity
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — UPSHOT League officially announced the arrival of professional women’s basketball in Tampa Bay, with the new franchise scheduled to begin play at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027.
UPSHOT Tampa branding unveiled as the league prepares for its inaugural 2027 season in Tampa Bay. Image courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Owner Morgan Busby introduced the vision behind bringing elite women’s basketball to the region, while Garland Cooper was announced as team president. UPSHOT Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin also joined the launch alongside local leaders as the organization emphasized community involvement, fan experience and competitive excellence as core parts of the franchise.
FAN INVOLVEMENT: The Tampa franchise does not yet have an official team name. Fans are being invited to submit ideas and take part in helping shape the team’s identity ahead of its inaugural season. Season-ticket deposits and founding membership opportunities are also available.
UPSHOT Tampa President Garland Cooper speaks with media following the announcement of Tampa Bay’s new professional women’s basketball franchise. Photo courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Community outreach began immediately with a “Shoe a Day” initiative supporting young athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During media availability, Cooper also spoke about the importance of giving young girls an opportunity to see what is possible through professional women’s sports.
Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Shanahan were among the community leaders in attendance, highlighting the potential economic and social impact of adding another professional sports organization to the region.
INAUGURAL SEASON: UPSHOT Tampa is scheduled to tip off at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027, adding professional women’s basketball to an established Tampa Bay sports market that already includes the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays.
The team name, branding and additional franchise details are expected to be announced as the organization continues building toward its first season.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Florida3 days agoFlorida Governor Candidates: Donalds Spent Longer as a Democrat; Jolly Reports Longer Republican History
Central Florida News5 days agoUSF Comes Up Short at UTSA as Late Touchdown Seals 31-24 Loss
Florida21 hours agoCivil Rights Group Honors Nobel Peace Prize Winner Navi Pillay, Highlights Florida’s Trayvon Martin Connection
