Paolo Banchero stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Desmond Bane poured in 27 as the Orlando Magic pulled away late to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 128-118 on Sunday.
The win also marked the long-awaited return of Magic center Moritz Wagner, who played his first game in more than a year after tearing his left ACL. Wagner, sidelined since Dec. 21, 2024, scored eight points and grabbed two rebounds in 10 minutes off the bench in Orlando’s final game before its upcoming international trip.
Anthony Black delivered a breakout performance with 26 points, seven assists and three steals, while Goga Bitadze posted 14 points, 13 rebounds and three steals in his first start of the season. Bitadze filled in for Wendell Carter Jr., who sat out with a back strain.
Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 22 points, with Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole adding 21 apiece. The loss continued a difficult stretch for the Pelicans, who have dropped 10 of their last 11 games.
Orlando has shown resilience in recent weeks, responding to every loss with a win since falling to New York in the NBA Cup semifinals on Dec. 13 — a streak that now stands at seven straight bounce-back victories.
Up next, the Pelicans host Denver on Tuesday night. The Magic head overseas to face Memphis on Thursday in Berlin and again Sunday in London.
