The Orlando Magic secured a 128-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, highlighted by Moritz Wagner's return from a serious knee injury. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Desmond Bane added 27 points in a dominant fourth quarter. Zion Williamson scored 22 points for the Pelicans, who have now lost 10 of their last 11 games.
In Orlando, Florida, the Magic hosted the Pelicans in a matchup that saw the return of center Moritz Wagner after more than a year away due to a torn left ACL. Wagner, who last played on December 21, 2024, contributed eight points and two rebounds in 10 minutes off the bench.
The game remained close until the fourth quarter, where Orlando trailed 98-91 but outscored New Orleans 37-20 to pull away. Desmond Bane delivered key physical plays in the period, helping turn the deficit into a seven-point win. Paolo Banchero finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block, including a pivotal and-1 that gave the Magic the lead for good with 4:28 remaining. Anthony Black added 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting, seven assists and three steals, while Goga Bitadze, starting in place of the injured Wendell Carter Jr. (back strain), recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds and three steals.
For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson led with 22 points, supported by 21 points each from Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole. The loss extends New Orleans' skid to 10 of 11 games since their NBA Cup semifinals defeat to New York on December 13. Orlando, meanwhile, has bounced back from losses with wins in seven straight instances since that December setback.
The Magic, who shot efficiently in the final frame, now prepare for a two-game series against Memphis in Berlin on Thursday and London on Sunday. The Pelicans will host Denver on Tuesday night.