The fourth preseason game didn't have playoff stakes, but inside the locker room, it might as well have. Players weren't chatting like they used to. Zoran could sense it—guys were tightening up, counting minutes, watching reps.
Coach Kidd didn't say much during the pregame briefing.
"Orlando's young, fast, and plays hard. Don't take 'em light. This one matters more than you think."
He was looking at the whole room, but Zoran felt those words aimed right at him.
The Magic weren't title favorites, but their roster had grown dangerous. Paolo Banchero was already bullying grown men in the post. Franz Wagner could stretch the floor and make smart reads. Jalen Suggs was relentless on defense. Their bigs ran like wings.
Zoran stretched at the end of the bench, headphones in, system humming quietly.
[SYSTEM READY]
Pre-Game Boosts Available
Focus Enhancement: +3% Reaction Time
Shot Pocket Stability: +2% Release Accuracy
He activated both.
The moment his shoes hit the court, everything slowed down. Not because the game was slow—because he was locked in.
He checked in mid-second quarter. Score was 39–37, Magic up. He walked past Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. without a word. No stare-downs. No chatter.
He didn't need to say anything. He had ten minutes to leave a mark.
First possession: relocate three from the right wing. Splash.
Next: off-ball cut, caught Franz ball-watching. Easy layup.
On defense, Suggs tried to blow by him.
Bad idea.
Zoran slid, absorbed the contact, poked it clean, and threw a lead-ahead bounce pass that set up a fast-break slam.
The bench popped up. Gortman shouted, "YEAH, Z!"
Still, Zoran didn't react. Just turned back on defense.
He was efficient. Five shots. Four makes. Two steals. One assist. +9 in eight minutes.
Coach Kidd didn't clap or grin, but when Zoran checked out, he nodded once. And that was enough.
Tomorrow, it would be the Pelicans. The real test.
Tonight, he passed the warm-up.
Zoran Vranes - Box Score
Minutes: 8
Points: 9
FG: 4/5
3PT: 1/1
Rebounds: 1
Assists: 1
Steals: 2
Plus/Minus: +9