The 2025–26 NBA season was supposed to be a turning point for three promising Eastern Conference teams: the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, and Atlanta Hawks. Each squad entered the year with a talented and healthy roster and the expectation of contending for playoff spots in a conference that appears weaker and more open than in years past. Yet, through the first couple of weeks, all three teams have stumbled out of the gate with 1–4 or 2–3 records, results far below what many predicted. Despite their talent and depth, chemistry issues, inconsistent play, and questionable coaching adjustments have kept these teams from clicking. It’s still early, but their slow starts raise concerns about whether these supposed contenders are genuinely ready to take the next step.
Few teams generated as much preseason buzz as the Orlando Magic. With young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner continuing to develop and the front office adding offensive reinforcements like Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones, Orlando was viewed as a dark-horse contender in the East. The Magic already had one of the league’s best defenses last season; now they finally appeared to have the scoring balance needed to compete with top-tier teams.
However, the early results have been uneven. Orlando’s offense still looks stagnant at times, with too much isolation and not enough pace or spacing. Banchero and Wagner are adjusting to new roles alongside Jones, while Bane has yet to find his rhythm as the team’s primary floor-spacer. Defensively, the Magic remain tough, but poor transition play and turnovers have cost them winnable games. Head coach Jamahl Mosley has proven he can build a culture and foster accountability, but his next challenge is evolving the team’s offensive identity. The Magic have the pieces to be dangerous; they just need time and better cohesion to bring it all together.
The Toronto Raptors also entered the season with optimism after reshaping their roster around young, versatile talent. The addition of Brandon Ingram to a core featuring Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley gave Toronto the kind of offensive firepower and flexibility it’s lacked in recent years. On paper, this is one of the East’s deepest and most dynamic rosters, capable of switching defensively and attacking from multiple angles on offense.
Yet, through the first few games, the Raptors have struggled to find consistency. Their offense has looked disjointed, often devolving into one-on-one play instead of the fluid, ball-sharing attack that suits their personnel. Barnes has continued to shine, especially on defense and as a leader, but he and Ingram haven’t fully figured out how to share the offensive spotlight. Barrett’s aggressiveness has helped at times, though shot selection remains an issue, and Quickley’s shooting has been hit or miss. Defensively, Toronto still plays hard but hasn’t regained the crisp rotations and discipline that once defined the team. Head coach Darko Rajaković faces the
challenge of building chemistry while managing high expectations, a task easier said than done in a conference where slow starts can be costly.
Among the three teams, the Atlanta Hawks’ struggles might be the most puzzling. With Trae Young leading the offense, Jalen Johnson emerging as one of the league’s best young forwards, and Dyson Daniels developing rapidly into an elite defender and secondary playmaker, the Hawks have one of the most talented young cores in the East. Add in Kristaps Porziņģis, whose size and shooting were expected to stabilize the frontcourt, and Atlanta appeared poised to reenter the playoff picture after a disappointing prior season.
However, the Hawks have yet to live up to the hype early on. Their offense has been inconsistent and dominant in stretches, but prone to stagnation when opposing defenses focus on limiting Young’s playmaking. Johnson has been a bright spot, using his athleticism and energy to spark fast breaks, while Daniels’ defensive versatility has already stood out. Still, the team’s overall defensive effort has been uneven, and their late-game execution remains an issue. Head coach Quin Snyder has the offensive mind to unlock this group’s potential, but the Hawks’ inconsistency suggests they’re still trying to figure out how to play as a unit. The pieces are there for success; it’s a matter of discipline and balance catching up to the talent.
Why These Three Eastern Conference Contenders Are Off to a Slow Start By: Tyson Warren
The 2025–26 NBA season was supposed to be a turning point for three promising Eastern Conference teams: the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, and Atlanta Hawks. Each squad entered the year with a talented and healthy roster and the expectation of contending for playoff spots in a conference that appears weaker and more open than in years past. Yet, through the first couple of weeks, all three teams have stumbled out of the gate with 1–4 or 2–3 records, results far below what many predicted. Despite their talent and depth, chemistry issues, inconsistent play, and questionable coaching adjustments have kept these teams from clicking. It’s still early, but their slow starts raise concerns about whether these supposed contenders are genuinely ready to take the next step.
Few teams generated as much preseason buzz as the Orlando Magic. With young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner continuing to develop and the front office adding offensive reinforcements like Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones, Orlando was viewed as a dark-horse contender in the East. The Magic already had one of the league’s best defenses last season; now they finally appeared to have the scoring balance needed to compete with top-tier teams.
However, the early results have been uneven. Orlando’s offense still looks stagnant at times, with too much isolation and not enough pace or spacing. Banchero and Wagner are adjusting to new roles alongside Jones, while Bane has yet to find his rhythm as the team’s primary floor-spacer. Defensively, the Magic remain tough, but poor transition play and turnovers have cost them winnable games. Head coach Jamahl Mosley has proven he can build a culture and foster accountability, but his next challenge is evolving the team’s offensive identity. The Magic have the pieces to be dangerous; they just need time and better cohesion to bring it all together.
The Toronto Raptors also entered the season with optimism after reshaping their roster around young, versatile talent. The addition of Brandon Ingram to a core featuring Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley gave Toronto the kind of offensive firepower and flexibility it’s lacked in recent years. On paper, this is one of the East’s deepest and most dynamic rosters, capable of switching defensively and attacking from multiple angles on offense.
Yet, through the first few games, the Raptors have struggled to find consistency. Their offense has looked disjointed, often devolving into one-on-one play instead of the fluid, ball-sharing attack that suits their personnel. Barnes has continued to shine, especially on defense and as a leader, but he and Ingram haven’t fully figured out how to share the offensive spotlight. Barrett’s aggressiveness has helped at times, though shot selection remains an issue, and Quickley’s shooting has been hit or miss. Defensively, Toronto still plays hard but hasn’t regained the crisp rotations and discipline that once defined the team. Head coach Darko Rajaković faces the
challenge of building chemistry while managing high expectations, a task easier said than done in a conference where slow starts can be costly.
Among the three teams, the Atlanta Hawks’ struggles might be the most puzzling. With Trae Young leading the offense, Jalen Johnson emerging as one of the league’s best young forwards, and Dyson Daniels developing rapidly into an elite defender and secondary playmaker, the Hawks have one of the most talented young cores in the East. Add in Kristaps Porziņģis, whose size and shooting were expected to stabilize the frontcourt, and Atlanta appeared poised to reenter the playoff picture after a disappointing prior season.
However, the Hawks have yet to live up to the hype early on. Their offense has been inconsistent and dominant in stretches, but prone to stagnation when opposing defenses focus on limiting Young’s playmaking. Johnson has been a bright spot, using his athleticism and energy to spark fast breaks, while Daniels’ defensive versatility has already stood out. Still, the team’s overall defensive effort has been uneven, and their late-game execution remains an issue. Head coach Quin Snyder has the offensive mind to unlock this group’s potential, but the Hawks’ inconsistency suggests they’re still trying to figure out how to play as a unit. The pieces are there for success; it’s a matter of discipline and balance catching up to the talent.
The Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, and Atlanta Hawks all entered this season with high expectations, strong rosters, and the belief that they could take the next step in their development. But so far, the results haven’t matched the optimism. Each team faces its own version of the same problem: how to turn potential into production. The Magic must find an offensive rhythm, the Raptors need more transparent structure and roles, and the Hawks have to become more consistent on both ends. The Eastern Conference is wide open, meaning there’s still plenty of time for these teams to recover and climb the standings. But if they don’t correct their early-season issues soon, what was supposed to be a breakout year could quickly turn into another season of unfulfilled promise.
The Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, and Atlanta Hawks all entered this season with high expectations, strong rosters, and the belief that they could take the next step in their development. But so far, the results haven’t matched the optimism. Each team faces its own version of the same problem: how to turn potential into production. The Magic must find an offensive rhythm, the Raptors need more transparent structure and roles, and the Hawks have to become more consistent on both ends. The Eastern Conference is wide open, meaning there’s still plenty of time for these teams to recover and climb the standings. But if they don’t correct their early-season issues soon, what was supposed to be a breakout year could quickly turn into another season of unfulfilled promise.
