The Nets were without their veteran leader after Thanksgiving.
Dennis Schroder missed his team's 123-100 loss on Magic Friday night at Barclays Center for personal reasons.
He played in the last two of the Nets' last four games on the road, scoring 31 points against the Warriors and 29 points against the Suns.
He is enjoying a career season, entering Friday averaging 18.6 points per game, 45 percent shooting from the field, 41.7 percent shooting from deep and 6.3 assists per game.
He is scheduled to become a free agent after the season.
Nick Claxton, who missed the past two games with a hip injury and was doubtful for Friday's game, played 26 minutes in the loss, recording eight points and seven rebounds.
Claxton recently said his hip condition will need to be managed throughout the season, but head coach Jordi Fernandez gave a positive update before the game.
“I'm sure things will work out,” Fernandez said. “The good news is everything was clean. We're going to have to do some kind of work on him. Other than that, he trusts the process and continues to work and stays fit and healthy. I'm very happy that he's 100 percent in terms of keeping his rhythm. I know that if you're going in and out, you're not going to see the best in yourself…Soon, he's going to be his best self. It will be.”
Friday's game was the Nets' last in the NBA Cup, as the Hawks defeated the Cavaliers before being eliminated before tipoff.
The Nets praised Magic's physicality.
The Magic had 11 offensive rebounds, while the Nets had just five. The Magic also had 13 steals compared to the Nets' five.
“Their physicality, size, everything bothered us,” Fernandez said. “We were a step slow physically. … And you pay for it.”
Two-way contractee Tyrese Martin made his first career start in Friday's loss after exploding for 30 points during Wednesday's win over the Suns.
However, he came back down to earth with only 8 points.
It was the sixth straight game the Nets used a different starting lineup.
