Magic Find Their Spark in Wagner’s Return, Topple Pelicans in High-Scoring Affair 128-118
The Orlando Magic reminded everyone just how dangerous they can be when the pieces start falling into place.
On a Sunday afternoon that felt like a turning point, the Magic snapped their inconsistency streak with a decisive 128-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Kia Center. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of resilience, fueled by the emotional return of Moritz Wagner and a standout performance from Paolo Banchero.
For a team that has been alternating wins and losses for weeks, this victory felt different. It felt sustainable.
Paolo Banchero Anchors the Offense
While the headlines might focus on the return of a certain big man, the engine of this victory was undeniably Paolo Banchero. The young star was everywhere, putting up a stat line that screams versatility: 23 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
He wasn’t just scoring; he was orchestrating. Banchero controlled the tempo, finding shooters on the wing and cutting bigs in the paint. His connection with Anthony Black, who chipped in 26 points and seven assists, was electric. The duo seemingly had an answer for every Pelicans run, ensuring that New Orleans never got close enough to truly threaten the lead in the fourth quarter.
Desmond Bane also proved his worth, leading all scorers for Orlando with 27 points. His aggressive drives and efficiency from the free-throw line (8-for-8) kept the pressure on a Pelicans defense that looked overwhelmed for stretches of the game.
Moritz Wagner’s Emotional Return
The loudest cheer of the night, however, wasn’t for a dunk or a three-pointer. It was for Moritz Wagner checking into the game.
After missing more than a year due to a devastating ACL tear in his left knee, Wagner finally stepped back onto the hardwood. In just 10 minutes of action, he made his presence felt with eight points and two rebounds. But the box score doesn’t capture the emotion in the building. Seeing him back in a Magic jersey gave the team—and the fans—a palpable lift.
“This group always does a heck of a job of bouncing back,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said before the game, praising his team’s resiliency. Wagner is the living embodiment of that grit. His return comes at a perfect time, right before the team heads to his native Germany for a series against the Grizzlies. You couldn’t script it better.
Pelicans struggle despite Williamson’s effort
On the other side, it was another tough outing for New Orleans. The Pelicans have now lost 10 of their last 11 games, a slide that has anchored them near the bottom of the Western Conference.
It wasn’t for lack of trying from Zion Williamson. The powerhouse forward led his team with 22 points, bullying his way into the paint and finishing through contact. Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole offered solid support, each adding 21 points, but the Pelicans simply couldn’t get stops when they needed them most.
New Orleans actually won the first quarter and kept it competitive through halftime, trailing by just one point at the break. But the Magic exploded in the third quarter, outscoring the Pels 33-39, and New Orleans never recovered. Their defense, which allowed Orlando to shoot over 52% from the field, remains a glaring issue that the coach will need to address.
Goga Bitadze Steps Up in the Paint
With Wendell Carter Jr. out due to a back strain, the Magic needed someone to step up in the middle. Enter Goga Bitadze.
Bitadze was a force in the paint, recording a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. His defensive activity was just as impressive, racking up three steals and two blocks. He provided the rim protection and rebounding grit that Orlando needed to counteract Zion’s interior dominance. It was the kind of “next man up” performance that playoff teams are built on.
What’s Next for the Magic?
This win sends the Magic off on their international road trip with high morale. They’ve now followed a loss with a win seven straight times since mid-December—a quirky stat, but one that shows they don’t let slumps snowball.
Now, the focus shifts to Berlin. For Moritz Wagner and his brother Franz (who is still recovering from an ankle sprain), it’s a homecoming. For the rest of the Magic, it’s a chance to build on this momentum on an international stage.
If Sunday was any indication, the Magic are finding their rhythm just in time.
