The 2003-04 Orlando Magic season was a challenging period for the franchise, marked by underperformance and significant changes. The team finished with a disappointing record of 21-61, placing them last in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. This dismal performance was a stark contrast to their playoff appearance the previous season and led to a series of organizational changes.
Despite the presence of superstar Tracy McGrady, who led the league in scoring with an average of 28 points per game, the Magic struggled to find consistency or support around him. Injuries and a lack of depth further exacerbated their issues. McGrady’s individual brilliance was overshadowed by the team’s inability to compete effectively throughout the season.
In an attempt to reverse their fortunes, the Magic made a mid-season coaching change, replacing Doc Rivers with Johnny Davis. However, the change did little to alter the trajectory of their season. The team’s struggles on both ends of the floor, coupled with defensive vulnerabilities, were significant factors in their poor record.
The disappointing season ultimately led to a major roster overhaul in the following offseason. Tracy McGrady was traded to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster deal, signaling a fresh start for the franchise. The Magic also secured the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, selecting Dwight Howard, which marked the beginning of a new era for the team. This season served as a turning point, setting the stage for future rebuilding efforts.
- Regular Season Record: 21-61
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Orlando Magic Roster and Stats for 2003-04 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Tracy McGrady | 67 | 28.0 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 33.9 | |||||||
| Juwan Howard | 81 | 17.0 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Drew Gooden | 79 | 11.6 | 6.5 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 21.4 | |||||||
| DeShawn Stevenson | 26 | 11.2 | 4.6 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 29.3 | |||||||
| Tyronn Lue | 76 | 10.5 | 2.5 | 4.2 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 38.3 | |||||||
| Gordan Giriček | 48 | 10.2 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 40.7 | |||||||
| Keith Bogans | 73 | 6.8 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 35.8 | |||||||
| Rod Strickland | 46 | 6.8 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 30.3 | |||||||
| Shammond Williams | 37 | 4.9 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 33.8 | |||||||
| Donnell Harvey | 24 | 4.1 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Lee Nailon | 8 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Zaza Pachulia | 59 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Andrew DeClercq | 71 | 3.2 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Desmond Penigar | 10 | 3.2 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Steven Hunter | 59 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Sean Rooks | 20 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Derrick Dial | 9 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 22.2 | |||||||
| Britton Johnsen | 20 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 8.3 | |||||||
| Robert Archibald | 1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Reece Gaines | 38 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 30.0 | |||||||
| Pat Garrity | 2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Orlando Magic 2003-04 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2003-04 season for the Orlando Magic.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2003 | @ New York Knicks | W 85-83 | |
| Oct 30, 2003 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | L 100-98 | |
| Nov 01, 2003 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 96-85 | |
| Nov 03, 2003 | vs. New York Knicks | L 75-68 | |
| Nov 05, 2003 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 106-100 | |
| Nov 07, 2003 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 100-71 | |
| Nov 08, 2003 | @ Houston Rockets | L 96-86 | |
| Nov 12, 2003 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 107-97 | |
| Nov 14, 2003 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 106-101 | |
| Nov 15, 2003 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 95-92 | |
| Nov 17, 2003 | @ Utah Jazz | L 90-88 | |
| Nov 20, 2003 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 96-89 | |
| Nov 21, 2003 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 122-92 | |
| Nov 24, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 89-78 | |
| Nov 26, 2003 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 94-92 | |
| Nov 28, 2003 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 87-86 | |
| Dec 02, 2003 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | L 100-91 | |
| Dec 03, 2003 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 106-91 | |
| Dec 05, 2003 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 105-94 | |
| Dec 06, 2003 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 110-97 | |
| Dec 08, 2003 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 105-98 | |
| Dec 10, 2003 | @ Washington Wizards | W 95-91 | |
| Dec 12, 2003 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 99-95 | |
| Dec 13, 2003 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 105-102 | |
| Dec 16, 2003 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-88 | |
| Dec 17, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 94-90 | |
| Dec 19, 2003 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 119-93 | |
| Dec 21, 2003 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 104-93 | |
| Dec 22, 2003 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 95-73 | |
| Dec 25, 2003 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 113-101 | |
| Dec 26, 2003 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 98-83 | |
| Dec 29, 2003 | vs. New York Knicks | L 114-86 | |
| Jan 02, 2004 | @ Miami Heat | L 112-101 | |
| Jan 03, 2004 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 112-103 | |
| Jan 06, 2004 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 114-107 | |
| Jan 07, 2004 | @ Boston Celtics | L 101-93 | |
| Jan 09, 2004 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 103-92 | |
| Jan 12, 2004 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 87-82 | |
| Jan 14, 2004 | @ New York Knicks | L 120-110 | |
| Jan 16, 2004 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 124-118 | |
| Jan 17, 2004 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 91-90 | |
| Jan 19, 2004 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 106-99 | |
| Jan 21, 2004 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 113-102 | |
| Jan 23, 2004 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 98-93 | |
| Jan 25, 2004 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 99-87 | |
| Jan 26, 2004 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 99-98 | |
| Jan 28, 2004 | @ Washington Wizards | W 104-100 | |
| Jan 29, 2004 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 89-79 | |
| Jan 31, 2004 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 115-106 | |
| Feb 03, 2004 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 113-100 | |
| Feb 04, 2004 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 110-90 | |
| Feb 06, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 120-99 | |
| Feb 08, 2004 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 98-96 | |
| Feb 11, 2004 | vs. Miami Heat | L 111-98 | |
| Feb 17, 2004 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 127-104 | |
| Feb 18, 2004 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 90-77 | |
| Feb 20, 2004 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 102-98 | |
| Feb 22, 2004 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 87-86 | |
| Feb 24, 2004 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 94-91 | |
| Feb 27, 2004 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 112-107 | |
| Feb 28, 2004 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 104-99 | |
| Mar 01, 2004 | @ Boston Celtics | L 117-96 | |
| Mar 03, 2004 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 105-97 | |
| Mar 05, 2004 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 101-96 | |
| Mar 07, 2004 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 107-90 | |
| Mar 09, 2004 | @ Miami Heat | L 100-89 | |
| Mar 10, 2004 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 108-99 | |
| Mar 13, 2004 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-101 | |
| Mar 15, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 113-110 | |
| Mar 17, 2004 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 110-85 | |
| Mar 20, 2004 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 92-73 | |
| Mar 21, 2004 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 84-67 | |
| Mar 24, 2004 | vs. Miami Heat | L 105-90 | |
| Mar 26, 2004 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 107-92 | |
| Mar 28, 2004 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 118-88 | |
| Mar 31, 2004 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 109-91 | |
| Apr 02, 2004 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 95-87 | |
| Apr 06, 2004 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 102-86 | |
| Apr 08, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 101-81 | |
| Apr 10, 2004 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 101-89 | |
| Apr 12, 2004 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 93-84 | |
| Apr 14, 2004 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 95-89 |