2026 NBA G LEAGUE PLAYOFF PREVIEW: LOOKING TO CUT DOWN THE NETS 

Game Information:  

Date: Wednesday, April 1 

Opponent: Long Island Nets 

Venue: Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Fla. 

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET 

Broadcast: Prime Video and FanDuel Sports Network Sun 

Tale of the Tape:   

For the third consecutive season, the Osceola Magic earned top honors in the Eastern Conference and hold home-court advantage throughout the 2026 NBA G League Playoffs, presented by Google. The Magic tied this year’s South Bay Lakers squad for the most wins in a single regular season (26) since the 2021-22 season when the league split into the Tip Off Tournament and regular season format.  

The Magic came up a game short last season in the G League Finals, falling to the Stockton Kings in the decisive game three in Kissimmee. The squad returned just three members from that team; Alex Morales, Javonte Smart and Colin Castleton.  

Under the tutelage of third-year head coach Dylan Murphy, the Magic didn’t miss a beat and responded in force. Osceola finished with 34 combined wins during the Tip Off Tournament and regular season, a franchise record over a 50-game season.  

Osceola will welcome the Long Island Nets to Osceola Heritage Park for the opening Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Magic swept the Nets in the season series, both played in Kissimmee, but the history between the two teams doesn’t bode well for Osceola.  

During the 2019 playoffs, the two top seeds in the Eastern Conference squared off in the Eastern Conference Finals at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Nets would pull out a narrow 108-106 win to advance to the G League Finals.  

In 2024, the two teams found themselves in a similar situation to this year’s playoff matchup. Long Island went into Osceola Heritage Park against the top-seeded Magic and came away with a 120-112 upset, ending Osceola's playoff run early.  

The Magic are hoping that the third time’s a charm, both against the Nets and in the hopes of winning a G League championship as the top seed.   

Head Coach Dylan Murphy: 

"[Long Island] is super physical, obviously athletic and long. Defensively they play really tough basketball and they protect the rim really well. We're digging into the tape and figuring out where we can get our advantages. We know coach [Mfon] Udofia does a great job with their group. We know they'll be ready to play so we have to match that."

Against the Opposition:   

Long Island Series Record: 12-12 (Home: 8-7, Away: 3-5)   

Last Matchup: Osceola 130, Long Island 111 (March 17, 2026, Osceola Heritage Park) 

Points: Lester Quinones (OSC) - 28 

Rebounds: Colin Castleton (OSC) - 16 

Assists: Reece Beekman (OSC) - 12