Magic crush Pelicans behind Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Mar 13, 2025

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NEW ORLEANS — Considered business handled.

The Magic steamrolled the Pelicans, 113-93, Thursday night behind a combined 61 points from star duo Paolo Banchero (34) and Franz Wagner (27) at Smoothie King Center.

It’s what Orlando was supposed to do against a team that entered with just 18 wins as New Orleans was already eliminated from playoff contention.

Jamahl Mosley’s squad, however, had recently struggled at home against opponents with similar records, losing two in a row to 23-win Toronto and a third to Chicago, which is 10th in the East.

But Thursday night in the Big Easy was exactly that for Orlando: Easy.

Its offense thrived with early ball movement when the Magic built a 30-point lead at the halfway mark and never looked back against the Pelicans (18-49), who own the league’s lowest defensive rating (118.6).

But stronger competition awaits Orlando (31-36), which has a quick turnaround when it travels overnight to face the Timberwolves (38-29) who have won seven in a row.

Starting 5

Veteran guard Cory Joseph made his second start in place of Cole Anthony, who was a late scratch because of a left big toe strain, according to the team.

Anthony didn’t fully participate in practice in New Orleans on Wednesday but didn’t appear on the injury report until he was ruled out almost an hour before tipoff.

Joseph (12 points, six rebounds) opened alongside regulars Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Wagner, Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.

Banchero hit his first pair of 3s when Orlando made 9 of 11 shots. Banchero finished 4 of 8 from distance and recorded his 10th game of 30 points or more. He reached 20-plus for the eighth straight game, tying the longest streak of his career.

Wagner was efficient, too, when he made his first eight shots, most of which came around the basket.

Banchero and Wagner combined for 44 points in the first half, marking the first time during the play-by-play era (since 1996-97) that two players scored 20-plus in the opening half in franchise history.

Second unit

Mosley made a couple changes to his rotations before emptying the bench late in the game.

First, he turned to Jonathan Isaac as the first player off the bench. Mosley had generally turned to a guard or wing player instead of the larger Isaac.

Mosley also re-inserted second-year pro Jett Howard back into the rotation after he opted for veteran guard Gary Harris the past two contests.

Caleb Houstan started the second quarter and made his fourth straight appearance after he was a healthy scratch in the three games prior.

With Banchero and Wagner doing the heavy lifting on offense, it was a quiet night for the reserves. Isaac led the bench with eight points through three quarters.

Rookie watch

After failing to score Monday night at Houston,Tristan da Silva missed his first three shots but converted his fourth, a 20-foot jump shot late in the fourth. He finished with three points in 17 minutes.