Game ID: 22500548
New Orleans Pelicans @ Orlando Magic
Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
ORL 26 32 33 37 128NOP 26 33 39 20 118
NOP @ ORL ScoutingNOP @ ORL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
ORL availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 10 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Howard missed 3 since 12/29, returns tonight: 3 min (21% of 12)
OUT Isaac missed 2 since 12/31, returns tonight: 12 min (116% of 10)
BACK Suggs back 12/31 after 7, 23 min since (80% of 28)
BACK da Silva back 12/26 after 4, 24 min since (99% of 24)
BACK Bitadze back 12/29 after 3, 17 min since (112% of 15)
NEW Jones 16 to 22 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 1/06 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 11 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Penda missed 2 since 1/02, returns tonight: 27 min (212% of 13)
BACK Suggs back 12/31 after 7, 23 min since (80% of 28)
BACK Bitadze back 12/29 after 3, 17 min since (111% of 15)
BACK Howard back 1/04 after 3, 3 min since (21% of 12)
BACK Isaac back 1/04 after 2, 12 min since (116% of 10)
NEW Jones 16 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Richardson 11 to 16 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 1/07 · back-to-backOUT Fra. Wagner missed 12 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Suggs missed 2 since 1/04, out tonight
BACK Bitadze back 12/29 after 3, 18 min since (116% of 15)
BACK Penda back 1/06 after 2, 27 min since (212% of 13)
BACK Howard back 1/04 after 3, 9 min since (74% of 12)
BACK Isaac back 1/04 after 2, 12 min since (115% of 10)
NEW Jones 16 to 22 min over the last 5
NEW Richardson 11 to 18 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 13 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Suggs missed 3 since 1/04, out tonight
BACK Penda back 1/06 after 2, 29 min since (229% of 13)
BACK Howard back 1/04 after 3, 11 min since (87% of 12)
BACK Isaac back 1/04 after 2, 11 min since (111% of 10)
NEW Richardson 11 to 17 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 14 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Suggs missed 4 since 1/04, out tonight
BACK Penda back 1/06 after 2, 29 min since (231% of 13)
BACK Howard back 1/04 after 3, 10 min since (83% of 12)
BACK Isaac back 1/04 after 2, 10 min since (101% of 10)
NEW Richardson 11 to 20 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 1/15
OUT Fra. Wagner missed 15 since 12/09, tonight's box is missing
OUT Suggs missed 5 since 1/04, tonight's box is missing
BACK Penda back 1/06 after 2, 31 min since (247% of 13)
BACK Howard back 1/04 after 3, 10 min since (83% of 12)
BACK Isaac back 1/04 after 2, 10 min since (98% of 10)
NEW Richardson 11 to 20 min over the last 4
ORL availability going into 1/18
OUT Fra. Wagner missed 15 since 12/09, tonight's box is missing
OUT Suggs missed 5 since 1/04, tonight's box is missing
BACK Penda back 1/06 after 2, 31 min since (247% of 13)
NEW Richardson 11 to 17 min over the last 3
ORL availability going into 1/22 · 3 days' restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 15 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Suggs missed 5 since 1/04, out tonight
NEW Black 29 to 37 min over the last 3
NEW Penda 13 to 33 min over the last 3
ORL availability going into 1/24 · 1 day's restOUT Fra. Wagner missed 16 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Suggs missed 6 since 1/04, returns tonight: 24 min (86% of 28)
NEW Penda 13 to 29 min over the last 3
NEW Richardson 11 to 16 min over the last 3
NOP availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 6 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 6 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 32 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 13 since 12/06, returns tonight: 2 min (20% of 12)
BACK Alvarado back 1/02 after 2, 20 min since (94% of 22)
BACK McGowens back 1/02 after 2, 24 min since (116% of 21)
BACK Matković back 1/02 after 3, 20 min since (136% of 15)
BACK Looney back 12/29 after 11, 22 min since (151% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/29 after 2, 14 min since (105% of 14)
NOP availability going into 1/06 · 1 day's restOUT Bey missed 2 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 7 since 12/23, returns tonight: 35 min (123% of 28)
OUT Murray missed 7 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 33 since 10/31, out tonight
BACK Alvarado back 1/02 after 2, 20 min since (92% of 22)
BACK McGowens back 1/02 after 2, 20 min since (95% of 21)
BACK Matković back 1/02 after 3, 22 min since (151% of 15)
BACK Looney back 12/29 after 11, 22 min since (151% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/29 after 2, 11 min since (83% of 14)
BACK Alexander back 1/04 after 13, 2 min since (20% of 12)
NOP availability going into 1/07 · back-to-backOUT Bey missed 3 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 8 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 34 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 2 since 1/04, returns tonight: 5 min (34% of 15)
BACK Jones back 1/06 after 7, 35 min since (123% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/02 after 2, 21 min since (96% of 22)
BACK McGowens back 1/02 after 2, 20 min since (95% of 21)
BACK Matković back 1/02 after 3, 18 min since (123% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/29 after 2, 11 min since (83% of 14)
BACK Alexander back 1/04 after 13, 2 min since (20% of 12)
NOP availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Bey missed 4 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 9 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 35 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 2 since 1/06, returns tonight: 2 min (15% of 12)
BACK Jones back 1/06 after 7, 35 min since (123% of 28)
BACK Alvarado back 1/02 after 2, 21 min since (96% of 22)
BACK McGowens back 1/02 after 2, 26 min since (122% of 21)
BACK Matković back 1/02 after 3, 17 min since (115% of 15)
BACK Looney back 1/07 after 2, 5 min since (34% of 15)
NOP availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT Bey missed 5 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 2 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 10 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 2 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 36 since 10/31, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 1/02 after 2, 26 min since (125% of 21)
BACK Matković back 1/02 after 3, 15 min since (99% of 15)
BACK Looney back 1/07 after 2, 5 min since (34% of 15)
BACK Alexander back 1/04 after 13, 2 min since (17% of 12)
NEW Peavy 15 to 22 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/13 · 1 day's restOUT Bey missed 6 since 1/02, returns tonight: 32 min (102% of 31)
OUT Jones missed 3 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 11 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 3 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 37 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 2 since 1/09, out tonight
BACK Alexander back 1/04 after 13, 2 min since (17% of 12)
NEW McGowens 21 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Peavy 15 to 21 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/14 · back-to-backOUT Jones missed 4 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 12 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 4 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 38 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 3 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 2 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Bey back 1/13 after 6, 32 min since (102% of 31)
NEW McGowens 21 to 31 min over the last 3
NEW Peavy 15 to 21 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/16 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 5 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 13 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 5 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 39 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 4 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 3 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Bey back 1/13 after 6, 29 min since (93% of 31)
NEW McGowens 21 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Peavy 15 to 22 min over the last 4
NOP availability going into 1/18 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 6 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 14 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 6 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 40 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Peavy missed 2 since 1/14, returns tonight: 22 min (147% of 15)
OUT Looney missed 5 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 4 since 1/11, out tonight
BACK Bey back 1/13 after 6, 30 min since (96% of 31)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Banchero at 23 and Bane at 18 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (14 straight), Suggs (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Murphy III at 35 and Williamson at 23 a game. Without Bey (5 straight), Jones (2 straight), Murray (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 18 times a game to Orlando's 15. Call it Orlando 118, New Orleans 112.
1/04 vs IND 135-127 — ORL notes
ORL won 135-127. ORL shot 56% (47 of 84) to IND's 55%, 15 of 32 from three, and went to the line 34 times to IND's 21 — 26 points from the stripe to their 16. Bane led with 31 (12 of 17, 3 of 6 from three); Banchero added 28, Black 27. The hinge was Q2, 41-22: ORL came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 11. Richardson was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
1/06 @ WAS 112-120 — ORL notes
ORL lost 112-120. ORL shot 46% (42 of 92) to WAS's 45%, 12 of 33 from three, and got to the line 24 times to WAS's 33. ORL turned it over 19 times to WAS's 14, and WAS turned those into 12 steals. Richardson led with 20 (7 of 12, 3 of 4 from three); Bane added 15, Banchero 14. Q4 was theirs, 25-19, the deficit cut from 14 to 8, but the other 3 periods went 101-87 against them. da Silva's -27 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/07 @ BKN 104-103 — ORL notes
ORL won 104-103 in 1 overtime. ORL shot 43% (41 of 96) to BKN's 42%, 9 of 33 from three. The glass went 55-44 for them. Banchero led with 30 (11 of 19, 1 of 4 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Carter Jr. added 20, da Silva 14. The hinge was Q3, 31-21: a lead of 5 became 15, and the lead reached 18. da Silva was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
1/09 vs PHI 91-103 — ORL notes
ORL lost 91-103. ORL shot 41% (36 of 88) to PHI's 41%, 4 of 29 from three, and got to the line 18 times to PHI's 24. ORL turned it over 18 times to PHI's 12, and PHI turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 42-52 against them. Bane led with 23 (9 of 19, 0 of 3 from three); Black added 21, Banchero 14. Q1 was theirs, 28-24, but the other 3 periods went 79-63 against them. Richardson's -14 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/11 vs NOP 128-118 — ORL notes
ORL won 128-118. ORL shot 52% (43 of 82) to NOP's 58%, 11 of 24 from three, and went to the line 35 times to NOP's 15 — 31 points from the stripe to their 12. The glass went 39-26 for them. Bane led with 27 (9 of 18, 1 of 4 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Black added 26, Banchero 23. The hinge was Q4, 37-20: ORL came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 10. ORL trailed 58-59 at the half and won the second half 70-59. Bitadze was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
1/15 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Banchero at 22 and Bane at 21 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (15 straight), Suggs (5 straight). 3 days' rest. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 18 and Coward at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Morant (5 straight), Mashack (2 straight), Small (2 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the line, where Orlando takes 26 free throws a game to Memphis's 19 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-7 a night and Orlando plus-2. Call it Orlando 116, Memphis 111.
1/18 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 18 and Coward at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Morant (5 straight), Mashack (2 straight), Small (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Banchero at 22 and Bane at 21 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (15 straight), Suggs (5 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the line, where Orlando takes 26 free throws a game to Memphis's 19 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-7 a night and Orlando plus-2. Call it Memphis 114, Orlando 113, Orlando keeping it close.
1/22 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Banchero at 22 and Bane at 21 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (15 straight), Suggs (5 straight). 3 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 16 free throws a game; Miller at 23 and Knueppel at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Hall (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the line, where Orlando takes 26 free throws a game to Charlotte's 16 and the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-8 a night and Orlando plus-2. Call it Orlando 116, Charlotte 112, Charlotte keeping it close.
1/24 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Banchero at 21 and Bane at 19 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (16 straight), Suggs (6 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Mitchell at 25 and Tyson at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Merrill (4 straight), Ball (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-10 a night and Orlando plus-0. Call it Orlando 115, Cleveland 113, Cleveland keeping it close.
1/04 @ MIA 106-125 — NOP notes
NOP lost 106-125. NOP shot 47% (42 of 90) to MIA's 47%, 16 of 40 from three, and got to the line 8 times to MIA's 18. NOP turned it over 24 times to MIA's 15, and MIA turned those into 19 steals. Murphy III led with 27 (10 of 19, 7 of 15 from three); Fears added 21, Queen 13. Q4 was theirs, 29-32, but the other 3 periods went 93-77 against them. Williamson's -24 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/06 vs LAL 103-111 — NOP notes
NOP lost 103-111. NOP shot 44% (40 of 91) to LAL's 51%, 10 of 40 from three. Murphy III led with 42 (14 of 26, 6 of 17 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Williamson added 15, Queen 10. Q2 was theirs, 29-22, turning a 4-point deficit into a 3-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 89-74 against them. Peavy's -10 in 14 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/07 @ ATL 100-117 — NOP notes
NOP lost 100-117. NOP shot 44% (38 of 86) to ATL's 46%, 8 of 28 from three, and went to the line 25 times to ATL's 17 — 16 points from the stripe to their 11. Williamson led with 22 (10 of 15, 2 of 7 at the line); Poole added 21, McGowens 20. Q4 was theirs, 34-28, the deficit cut from 23 to 17, but the other 3 periods went 89-66 against them. Matković's -18 in 13 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/09 @ WAS 128-107 — NOP notes
NOP won 128-107. NOP shot 54% (51 of 95) to WAS's 43%, 11 of 34 from three, and got to the line 24 times to WAS's 33. The glass went 51-40 for them. Murphy III led with 35 (13 of 24, 7 of 16 from three); Williamson added 31, Fears 21. The hinge was Q2, 32-24: a lead of 2 became 10, and the lead reached 26. Murphy III was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
1/11 @ ORL 118-128 — NOP notes
NOP lost 118-128. NOP shot 58% (46 of 80) to ORL's 52%, 14 of 26 from three, and got to the line 15 times to ORL's 35. The glass went 26-39 against them. Williamson led with 22 (9 of 14); Murphy III added 21, Poole 21. Q3 was theirs, 39-33, but the other 3 periods went 95-79 against them. They led by as many as 11. McGowens's -22 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/13 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Murphy III at 31 and Williamson at 20 a game. Without Bey (6 straight), Jones (3 straight), Murray (11 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 41 from three, 26 free throws a game; Watson at 24 and Hardaway Jr. at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Murray (2 straight), Jokić (7 straight), Johnson (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 18 times a game to Denver's 12 and the line, where Denver takes 26 free throws a game to New Orleans's 18. Call it New Orleans 117, Denver 116, Denver keeping it close.
1/14 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 32 and Williamson at 20 a game. Without Jones (4 straight), Murray (12 straight), Alvarado (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 27 and Clowney at 15 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Williams (3 straight), Saraf (14 straight), Etienne (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it New Orleans 114, Brooklyn 113, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/16 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Siakam at 22 and Nembhard at 18 a game. Without Mathurin (6 straight), Toppin (38 straight), Isa. Jackson (12 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murphy III at 30 and Williamson at 22 a game. Without Jones (5 straight), Murray (13 straight), Alvarado (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been plus-4 a night and Indiana minus-3 and the defense, Indiana allowing 108 a night to New Orleans's 117. Call it Indiana 116, New Orleans 113, New Orleans keeping it close.
1/18 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 110, shooting 43 percent and 29 from three, 27 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Thompson at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (4 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 29 and Williamson at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (6 straight), Murray (14 straight), Alvarado (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Houston's 29 and the defense, Houston allowing 110 a night to New Orleans's 119. Call it Houston 117, New Orleans 113, New Orleans keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
ORLAB A. Black
DB D. Bane
GB G. Bitadze
JC J. Cain
JI J. Isaac
JR J. Richardson
MW M. Wagner
NP N. Penda
PB P. Banchero
TJ T. Jones
TD T. da Silva
NOPBM B. McGowens
DQ D. Queen
JF J. Fears
JH J. Hawkins
JP J. Poole
KM K. Matković
MP M. Peavy
MA Matkovic
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
ZW Z. Williamson
ORL/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Magic beat Pelicans 128-118 in Moritz Wagner's return from knee injury
ORLANDO, Fla. -- — Paulo Banchero had 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, Desmond Bane added 27 points and Orlando beat the New Orleans Pelicans 128-118 on Sunday in Magic center Moritz Wagner 's return from a serious knee injury.
Wagner missed more than a year after tearing his left ACL, last playing Dec. 21, 2024. He had eight points and two rebounds in 10 minutes Sunday in the Magic's last game before their two-game series against Memphis in Berlin and London.
Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 22 points, and Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole added 21 each. The Pelicans have lost 10 of 11.
Anthony Black added 26 points, seven assists and three steals for the Magic. Goga Bitadze had 14 points, 13 rebounds and three steals in his first start of the season at center. Bitadze replaced Wendell Carter Jr ., who had a back strain.
Since losing to New York in the NBA Cup semifinals on Dec. 13, the Magic have followed losses with wins seven straight times.
Up next Pelicans: Host Denver on Tuesday night.
Magic: Play Memphis on Thursday night in Berlin and Sunday in London.