ORLANDO, Fla. — In a much-needed win, Franz Wagner led the Orlando Magic to a 115-88 triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans, ending their five-game losing streak. The Magic maintained a comfortable lead throughout the game and never fell behind. Mo Wagner contributed significantly as well, putting up 17 points for the team.
For the Pelicans, Brandon Boston Jr. emerged as the leading scorer with 26 points while Jose Alvarado chipped in with 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Even though the Magic built a substantial 24-point lead, New Orleans fought back with a surge, fueled by a combined 15 points from Boston and Alvarado, which narrowed the deficit to just 10 points during a 17-1 run.
A pivotal moment occurred when Jalen Suggs knocked down a 3-pointer with just over eight minutes left in the third quarter, breaking the Magic’s stretch of more than nine minutes without a field goal.
In terms of team circumstances, the Pelicans were severely hampered by injuries. With star player Zion Williamson absent due to a tight hamstring—announced just two hours prior to the game—they were missing six of their top eight scorers. This loss marked their seventh defeat in the last eight games. Meanwhile, the Magic were eager for a win after five consecutive losses, particularly following the injury to Paolo Banchero, who is sidelined with a torn oblique. The victory was notably their 10th consecutive home win, stretching back to March 30, including the postseason. In stark contrast, the team has only managed two wins in their last 14 away games.
A critical statistic from the game highlighted the Magic’s early dominance: they achieved a 24-point lead within the first 18 minutes, bolstered by six dunks, six layups, and four 3-pointers. This scoring onslaught helped them endure a prolonged stretch of poor shooting, ending the night with an 8-for-32 showing from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the Pelicans will head back to their home court to take on the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, while the Magic will host the Washington Wizards on Sunday evening.