Orlando Magic Defeat Pelicans to Snap Five-Game Losing Streak

Orlando, FL—After dropping five consecutive games, the Magic returned home for a Magic vs Pelicans game, getting themselves back in the win column with a 115-88 victory over New Orleans.

Magic Faces Injuries, Pelicans Shorthanded

Orlando tipped off the first of five straight games at home and they had every reason to win this game. Despite being down two starters in Paolo Banchero (torn right oblique) and Wendell Carter Jr (foot), Orlando found a way to take care of business.

New Orleans would also be riddled with injuries coming into this matchup without Zion Williamson (left hamstring tightness), Dejounte Murray (hand fracture), Jordan Hawkins (lower back strain), Trey Murphy III (hamstring), Herbert Jones (shoulder), and CJ McCollum (right adductor strain).

Pelicans Coach Willie Green on the Challenge of Injuries

Pelicans Head Coach Willie Green was asked before tonight’s matchup about how difficult it is to establish chemistry with his group when they’re missing a couple of players and he responded:

“A couple,” Willie Green jokingly said. “First of all both teams, you hate when guys go down with injuries. It’s extremely tough on them, it’s a tough blow for the team—Adversity and how you respond to it as a player, as a staff, continue to come in and compete.”

Franz Wagner Leads the Charge

Franz Wagner and this entire Orlando squad came out of the gates with a sense of urgency in that first period of play. Wagner scored 17 of the team’s 37 first-quarter points and was a man on a mission all evening long. Wagner got it going early with two early baskets at the rim and that energy was infectious as it spread to the rest of the team.

“He’s just such a competitor,” Jamhal Mosley on how Franz Wagner has stepped up in the absence of Paolo Banchero. “He’s gonna do whatever it takes, whatever is necessary to try to put this team on his back and figure out a way to get a win.”

Rookie Tristan da Silva’s Early Impact

Tristan da Silva did a great job of playing within the flow of the offense and scoring baskets early on. Due to injuries plaguing the Magic, the rookie has stepped into a much larger role than expected and has embraced it.

Franz Wagner in the postgame was asked about Tristan da Silva’s growth and development over the first ten games of the season and Franz had high praise for the rookie:

“I think it’s a great situation for him to come in and play so many minutes. I think you can tell when you watch he just knows how to play. He’s always in the right spot, makes quick decisions out there, and makes the game really easy for everyone around him.”

Magic Extend Lead in the Second Quarter

Orlando, who came out just as strong in the second quarter, kicked things off with a 17-5 run as they led 56-32 with 4:33 remaining in the first half of play, blowing the top off of this Pelicans vs Magic game. New Orleans wouldn’t go down easy as they closed the first half on a 19-3 run fueled by multiple threes. Orlando would go into the halftime locker room up 57-47.

Second Half Defense and Offensive Efficiency

Despite a valiant effort from the Pelicans, the Magic were too much to handle tonight for a diminished Pelicans roster. Orlando would outscore the Pelicans 58-41 in the second half of play, and the Magic stayed true to their identity on the defensive side of the ball.

“It’s super important, that’s what our identity is as a team and that’s what we take pride in,” Anthony Black on how important the defensive effort was in the win. “When all else is failing, we try to click back into locking up and creating offense through our defense.”

Orlando did just that with their elite defensive performance. They were able to hold the Pelicans to shooting 32 of 84 (38.1%) from the floor, 10 of 31 (32.3%) from deep, and forcing them into 15 turnovers on the evening.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s All-Around Impact

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been struggling to shoot the ball consistently from the perimeter to begin the season. Despite his woes, he’s been making his impact all over this team both on and off the court. KCP stuffed the stat sheet as he finished the night with seven points, five assists, three rebounds, four steals, and one block.

“I think the biggest challenge for young players is to find their role, find their niche,” Moe Wagner on how KCP has impacted this group. “You need someone to show you that to understand that, and KCP does that every single day. And obviously, he’s won two rings with two different teams, so we better listen when he talks.”

Jonathan Isaac’s Injury Update

Orlando finished the night shooting an efficient 45 of 86 from the field and 17 of 21 from the free throw line. They also did a great job of being aggressive and getting inside with 74 points in the paint.

Jonathan Issac left the game within eight minutes and would not return in the second half with hamstring soreness. Jamahl Mosley would state postgame that Jonathan Issac is doing, “okay.”

Four More Home Games Ahead

Magic vs Pelicans was the first of some relatively favorable matchups ahead for the next four games. Their upcoming opponents being the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and the Philadelphia 76ers. Orlando has an opportunity to build off this momentum and to potentially get back to over .500.

The Orlando Magic have improved to 4-6 on the season and will play host to the Washington Wizards on Sunday.