The Orlando Magic joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989. A contest in the local Orlando Sentinel newspaper allowed the community to suggest names for their new franchise. A total of 4,296 entries were submitted and subsequently narrowed to the "Heat", the "Tropics", the "Juice" and the "Magic".

On December 30, 1990, Magic point guard Scott Skiles racked up 30 assists in a 155-116 victory over the Denver Nuggets, breaking Kevin Porter's NBA single-game assists record (29). More than doubling his points, assists, and steals from the previous season, Skiles was named the NBA's Most Improved Player (1990-91).

Not only is Dwight Howard the only player to lead the NBA in blocks and rebounding in the same season, he did it twice (2008-09 & 2009-10).

Standing at 5 feet, 5 inches in height, Earl Boykins is the second-shortest player in NBA history behind Muggsy Bogues, who was 5 feet, 3 inches tall. Boykins played just one game for the Magic during the 1999-00 season, notching 6 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists in 8 minutes.

Roger Ebert gave the film 1.5 stars, writing: "Shaq has already proven he can act (in Blue Chips, the 1994 movie about college basketball). Here he shows he can be likable in a children's movie. What he does not show is good judgment in his choice of material."

On March 10, 2004, Tracy McGrady had a career night, dropping 62 points in a 108-99 win over the Washington Wizards. Shaquille O'Neal held the previous Magic franchise-record with 53 points.

Orlando selected Nick Anderson, who had just won both the Mr. Basketball and College Player of the Year awards, with the 11th overall pick of the 1989 NBA Draft. Anderson led the team in points per game during the 1991-92 season, and although he was gradually relegated to a lesser offensive role as the team's talent level increased, he remained a productive member of the team's starting lineup for a decade.

Stan Van Gundy coached the Orlando Magic for five seasons from 2007 to 2012, leading them to the 2009 NBA Finals. He finished with a 259-135 regular season record, and a franchise-best .657 winning percentage.

The Magic history was changed forever on May 17, 1992, when the franchise won the first pick in the 1992 NBA draft Lottery and selected big-man Shaquille O'Neal from Louisiana State University, the biggest prize in the draft since the Knicks won Patrick Ewing. O'Neal, a 7'1" center, made an immediate impact on the Magic, leading the team to a 41-41 record. For the second consecutive year, the Magic were voted the NBA's most improved franchise, and O'Neal was voted an All-Star starter and NBA Rookie of the Year.

In 1998-99, Darrell Armstrong came off the bench to average 13.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, becoming the first player to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and the NBA Most Improved Player Award simultaneously. The following year, he became the Magic's starting point guard and had a career year, averaging 16.2 points per game.