The Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat face off in the NBA Preseason on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at the Kia Center in Orlando. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. local and Eastern time, with live coverage in the United States on WRDQ (TV 27), WPLG (Local 10), NBA League Pass, DAZN, and Local10+.
The contest marks the conclusion of the 2026-27 preseason for both Florida franchises. The Miami Heat enters the finale with a 3-1 exhibition record, having defeated the Toronto Raptors 129-105, the New Orleans Pelicans 128-118, and the Brooklyn Nets 144-128, with a single loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves by 125-124. The Orlando Magic holds a 2-1 preseason record after beating the Memphis Grizzlies 122-118 and the Cleveland Cavaliers 132-116, while dropping a previous matchup to the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-105. In the last official game between the two teams, during the 2025-26 regular season on March 14, 2026, the Orlando Magic won 121-117, extending its current winning streak over the state rival to five consecutive games.
Where to watch Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat live
Fans in the United States have two over-the-air television options and three streaming platforms to follow the preseason matchup live:
- WRDQ (TV 27) (over-the-air TV)
- WPLG (Local 10) (over-the-air TV)
- NBA League Pass (streaming)
- DAZN (streaming)
- Local10+ (streaming)
Start time and location for Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat
- Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
- Time: 7 p.m. (U.S. and local stadium time, America/New_York)
- Location: Kia Center, in Orlando
- Competition: NBA (North American basketball league) — Preseason
Read also: Indiana Pacers vs Milwaukee Bucks: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 16)
How the Orlando Magic arrives
The Orlando Magic is led by head coach Sean Sweeney, a first-time NBA head coach hired on June 1, 2026, after serving as lead assistant with the San Antonio Spurs. He replaced Jamahl Mosley, who was dismissed on May 4, 2026, after the team finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 45-37 record and lost a seven-game first-round playoff series to the Detroit Pistons after leading 3-1.
The franchise kept its core of power forward Paolo Banchero, small forward Franz Wagner, shooting guard Desmond Bane (acquired in 2025 from the Memphis Grizzlies), and point guard Jalen Suggs, while bringing back veteran center Nikola Vučević on a one-year contract for his second stint with the club. In the 132-116 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday (13), Sean Sweeney started Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and center Wendell Carter Jr. In that game, Paolo Banchero scored 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting, Franz Wagner added 20 points, and Jalen Suggs made his preseason debut with 9 points in 12 minutes and 48 seconds on the court.
Regarding the roster status, power forward Jonathan Isaac (recovering from a knee issue and personal reasons) and point guard Anthony Black (recovering from a sprained ankle) did not play in the previous game by coaching decision. Both participated in practice on Thursday (15) as part of a gradual return to physical activities, and their presence on the court has not been officially confirmed. Because this is the final preseason game, the coaching staff has not confirmed the definitive starting lineup and may limit minutes or rest starters at the last minute.
How the Miami Heat arrives
The Miami Heat is coached by Erik Spoelstra, who begins his 19th season in charge of the team—the longest-tenured active coaching stint in the NBA. On Thursday (15), he was once again voted the best head coach in the league in the annual NBA GM Survey. “We all know what we’re here for. Everybody understands what they’re signing up for,” Erik Spoelstra said.
After finishing the 2025-26 regular season in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with a 43-39 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019 following an overtime Play-In loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise overhauled its roster. The front office traded away Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware. On July 6, 2026, the team acquired power forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, followed by the signing of shooting guard Klay Thompson in August 2026, alongside Tim Hardaway Jr. Speaking about his new coach, Klay Thompson stated: “He cares. And it’s good to be around a head coach who doesn’t mind to kind of get into you. He respects your work, but he also wants to get the most out of you.”
For the game in Orlando, starting center Bam Adebayo (right groin issue) and point guard Dru Smith (right calf injury) are ruled out and did not travel with the team. Giannis Antetokounmpo is confirmed in the traveling party after playing 24 minutes in the 144-128 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday (14), when he recorded 20 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks. In that contest, without Bam Adebayo, the starting five consisted of point guard Davion Mitchell, shooting guard Klay Thompson, small forward Andrew Wiggins, power forward/center Nick Richards, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The definitive starting lineup for Friday (16) has not been confirmed.
Read also: Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 16)
Officiating for Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat
The officiating crew for the game had not been announced by the time this report was completed, as the NBA officially publishes referee assignments on the morning of each game day.
Head-to-head history and next games for Orlando Magic and Miami Heat
Across the all-time NBA regular-season history between the two franchises, known as the Sunshine State rivalry, 147 games were played through the end of the 2025-26 campaign, with 81 victories for the Miami Heat and 66 victories for the Orlando Magic. Following Friday’s preseason finale, both teams make their 2026-27 NBA regular-season debuts on Wednesday (21) at 7 p.m. EDT: the Orlando Magic hosts the Atlanta Hawks, while the Miami Heat hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves.
