Orlando clinches its first playoff berth with a 117-103 victory over Detroit. With a 111-110 victory over Washington, Orlando clinches its first Atlantic Division championship. Orlando defeats Indiana 105-81 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to earn a trip to the NBA Finals. The Magic fire coach Hill and name assistant coach Richie Adubato as interim head coach. Daly announces his retirement, remaining with the team as a consultant to General Manager John Gabriel.
Rivers becomes the fifth coach in the history of the franchise.
Orlando trades Horace Grant to Seattle for Dale Ellis, Don MacLean, Billy Owens and the rights to Duke guard Corey Maggette. Rivers is named NBA Coach of the Year. Rivers is just the fifth coach in his rookie season to win the award and the third to win with a team that finished with a record of .500 or less. Gabriel is named NBA Executive of the Year. The Magic also trade Matt Harpring to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Andrew DeClercq, the former Florida Gator who will play some power forward and center.