2025 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Caleb Houstan

Caleb Houstan gave the Orlando Magic the exact skill they needed in his shooting. But he is still struggling to break through and find his spot on the team.

Time was running out on the season. The Orlando Magic had already clinched their play-in spot with two games remaining. There was little to sort out in the final road trip of the season. Just a few little odds and ends.

That night in Indianapolis was not for the starters or for anyone who was going to be a big factor in the postseason.

This was his chance to set some history straight.

Like the seas parting for Moses, the Indiana Pacers, who were also sitting their starters, the lane opened up for Caleb Houstan as he curled through the lane.

Houstan getting a paint touch is exceptionally rare. He has been developed into almost exclusively a 3-point shooter. But this was it. The big chance. Redemption for a blocked attempt in Minnesota a few weeks before.

Houstan went down the lane with that clear runway for takeoff, a defender trailing him but well beyond his hip. And . . .

He laid it up. The opportunity was gone. The only intriguing thing about the Magic's runaway win over the Pacers was gone. Caleb Houstan is still looking for his first dunk.