The 1998-99 Orlando Magic season was notable for its transition and rebuilding efforts. Under the leadership of head coach Chuck Daly, the team aimed to make a significant impact despite key offseason changes. The NBA lockout shortened the season to 50 games, adding further challenges to an already evolving roster.
Key player movements included the departure of Penny Hardaway, who was traded to the Phoenix Suns in a sign-and-trade deal. The Magic acquired forward Pat Garrity and several draft picks in return. Darrell Armstrong emerged as a vital player, significantly contributing to the team’s performance with his energetic play. Armstrong’s efforts earned him the NBA Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year awards, highlighting his crucial role during the season.
Despite the roster changes, the Magic finished with a respectable 33-17 record, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Their strong regular season performance was driven by a balanced team effort, with contributions from Nick Anderson, Horace Grant, and Bo Outlaw, among others. However, the Magic’s playoff run was cut short as they were eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. The series ended in a 3-1 defeat, signaling the need for further adjustments in the team’s strategy and composition moving forward.
The 1998-99 season set the stage for future developments in Orlando, as the franchise continued to build towards long-term success in the NBA. The Magic’s ability to stay competitive despite significant changes reflected their resilience and adaptability during a turbulent time in the league.
- Regular Season Record: 33-17
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 1-3
Orlando Magic Roster and Stats for 1998-99 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Anfernee Hardaway | 50 | 15.8 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 28.6 | 4 | 19.0 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 46.2 |
| Nick Anderson | 47 | 14.9 | 5.9 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 34.7 | 4 | 20.8 | 6.8 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 26.2 |
| Darrell Armstrong | 50 | 13.8 | 3.6 | 6.7 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 36.5 | 4 | 14.8 | 5.0 | 6.3 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 37.5 |
| Isaac Austin | 49 | 9.7 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 28.6 | 4 | 6.5 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Horace Grant | 50 | 8.9 | 7.0 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 4 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Matt Harpring | 50 | 8.2 | 4.3 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 40.0 | 4 | 8.3 | 5.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 20.0 |
| Bo Outlaw | 31 | 6.5 | 5.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Michael Doleac | 49 | 6.2 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.3 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Derek Strong | 44 | 5.1 | 3.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dominique Wilkins | 27 | 5.0 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 26.3 | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Doug Overton | 6 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| B.J. Armstrong | 22 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 14.3 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Danny Schayes | 19 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kevin Ollie | 1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Gerald Wilkins | 3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Miles Simon | 5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jonathan Kerner | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Orlando Magic in the 1999 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In the 1999 NBA Playoffs, the Orlando Magic faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. Despite a solid regular season, the Magic struggled against the 76ers, ultimately losing the series 3-1. Led by Allen Iverson, Philadelphia's dynamic play overwhelmed Orlando, ending their postseason run prematurely.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 09, 1999 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 104-90 | |
| May 11, 1999 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 79-68 | |
| May 13, 1999 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 97-85 | |
| May 15, 1999 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 101-91 |
Orlando Magic 1998-99 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1998-99 season for the Orlando Magic.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 05, 1999 | vs. New York Knicks | W 93-85 | |
| Feb 06, 1999 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 95-75 | |
| Feb 08, 1999 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 107-90 | |
| Feb 10, 1999 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 89-81 | |
| Feb 11, 1999 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 87-81 | |
| Feb 14, 1999 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 85-82 | |
| Feb 16, 1999 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 90-78 | |
| Feb 17, 1999 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 96-85 | |
| Feb 19, 1999 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 99-94 | |
| Feb 21, 1999 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 109-83 | |
| Feb 22, 1999 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 107-96 | |
| Feb 24, 1999 | @ Boston Celtics | L 111-79 | |
| Feb 26, 1999 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 103-100 | |
| Feb 28, 1999 | @ Miami Heat | L 84-78 | |
| Mar 01, 1999 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 70-67 | |
| Mar 03, 1999 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 93-76 | |
| Mar 05, 1999 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 89-84 | |
| Mar 06, 1999 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 87-82 | |
| Mar 08, 1999 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 114-110 | |
| Mar 10, 1999 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 81-79 | |
| Mar 11, 1999 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 93-76 | |
| Mar 13, 1999 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 87-74 | |
| Mar 15, 1999 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 74-73 | |
| Mar 17, 1999 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 103-94 | |
| Mar 18, 1999 | @ New York Knicks | W 86-78 | |
| Mar 21, 1999 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 115-104 | |
| Mar 23, 1999 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 86-78 | |
| Mar 25, 1999 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 96-86 | |
| Mar 26, 1999 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 90-82 | |
| Mar 28, 1999 | vs. Miami Heat | W 94-87 | |
| Mar 30, 1999 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 100-98 | |
| Mar 31, 1999 | @ Washington Wizards | L 84-73 | |
| Apr 02, 1999 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 115-68 | |
| Apr 03, 1999 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 92-77 | |
| Apr 05, 1999 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 106-99 | |
| Apr 06, 1999 | @ New York Knicks | W 81-72 | |
| Apr 08, 1999 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 73-69 | |
| Apr 09, 1999 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 95-83 | |
| Apr 14, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 83-80 | |
| Apr 16, 1999 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 91-79 | |
| Apr 18, 1999 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 88-81 | |
| Apr 19, 1999 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 90-72 | |
| Apr 20, 1999 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 95-83 | |
| Apr 22, 1999 | vs. Miami Heat | L 75-70 | |
| Apr 23, 1999 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 95-88 | |
| Apr 25, 1999 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 103-86 | |
| Apr 27, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 88-87 | |
| Apr 28, 1999 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 93-86 | |
| Apr 30, 1999 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 107-95 | |
| May 05, 1999 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 103-83 |
