Contending Magic rally from 15-point deficit, upend Pelicans

Orlando overcomes slow start to defeat host New Orleans 112-108

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:35am

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The Orlando Magic overcame a 15-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the host New Orleans Pelicans 112-108 on Sunday. Desmond Bane scored 27 points and Paolo Banchero had 23 points and 16 rebounds for the Magic, who have won three of their last four games and sit ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 32 points, but New Orleans succumbed to its eighth straight defeat.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Magic in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, as they sit just a half-game behind the Charlotte Hornets for the final play-in tournament position. For the Pelicans, the loss extends their losing streak to eight games as they continue to struggle in the latter part of the season.

The details

The Magic jumped out to an early 13-6 lead, but the Pelicans responded with a 21-6 run to take a 27-19 advantage. Orlando battled back to take a 29-28 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Pelicans then took control in the second quarter, leading 60-52 at halftime. New Orleans extended its lead to 15 points in the third quarter, but the Magic rallied, cutting the deficit to 88-81 heading into the fourth. Orlando then scored the next 10 points to take the lead, and held on for the 112-108 victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • Orlando trailed by 15 points in the third quarter before rallying to win.

The players

Desmond Bane

A guard for the Orlando Magic who scored a team-high 27 points in the win.

Paolo Banchero

The Magic's star forward, who recorded a double-double with 23 points and 16 rebounds.

Saddiq Bey

A guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, who led all scorers with 32 points in the loss.

Zion Williamson

The Pelicans' star forward, who contributed 17 points in the defeat.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to dig deep and fight our way back into this game. The guys showed a lot of heart and determination to overcome that big deficit.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic Head Coach

“It's frustrating to let a game slip away like that, especially after we had built such a big lead. We have to find a way to close out games better down the stretch.”

— Willie Green, New Orleans Pelicans Head Coach

What’s next

The Magic will look to build on this comeback win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, with four games remaining in the regular season. The Pelicans, meanwhile, will try to snap their eight-game losing streak in their final few games.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Magic's resilience and ability to rally from a large deficit, as well as the Pelicans' struggles to maintain leads and close out games. It underscores the competitive nature of the Eastern Conference playoff race, with the Magic fighting to secure a postseason berth.