New Orleans Pelicans forward Micah Peavy (14) and forward Zion Williamson (1) fight over a loose ball against Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
John Raoux
The New Orleans Pelicans started slow but eventually got going against the Orlando Magic in their final preseason game on Thursday at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
The Pelicans struggled on defense and with shooting in the first quarter, but improved as the game went on. The Pelicans outscored the Magic in both the second and third quarters but opted to pull their starters before the fourth quarter and ultimately fell short 132-125.
The Magic led the Pelicans for most of the way until a 3-pointer from Jordan Hawkins in the third quarter gave the Pelicans a 1-point lead. Jordan Poole hit a 3-pointer in the third that resulted in the Pelicans new point guard leading the team with 21 points.
Poole and Trey Murphy each had multiple 3-pointers for the Pelicans. Murphy scored 18 points with three 3-pointers, and Zion Williamson matched Murphy with 18 points of his own.
Williamson scored the majority of his points in the paint, adding five rebounds, four assists and one steal while shooting 9 of 11 from the field. Williamson failed to draw a foul despite his presence down low, which included a windmill dunk in the second quarter.
Murphy had a windmill dunk of his own and shot 7 of 14 from the field with five rebounds and two assists. Poole finished 7 of 15 from the field with two assists and one steal.
The Pelicans' starting lineup against the Magic consisted of Poole, Murphy, Williamson, Herb Jones and Yves Missi, who played over 20 minutes each. Missi finished with six points and seven rebounds, and Jones had seven points, two rebounds and two steals.
Three Pelicans scored double-digit points off the bench. Hawkins finished with 15 points and two 3-pointers on 6 of 11 shooting, and rookie guard Jeremiah Fears was 5 of 12 from the field with 16 points.
The Pelicans struggled to contain Magic forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Wagner finished with a team-high 24 points on 8 of 14 shooting, and Banchero added 19 points while shooting 6 of 11 from the field.
The Magic let their starters play longer than the Pelicans, with Banchero playing a game-high 30 minutes. Poole played 25 minutes, which was the most of any Pelicans player.
The Pelicans were without veterans Dejounte Murray and Kevon Looney along with rookie Derik Queen due to injuries. Veteran forward Saddiq Bay was rested.
The Pelicans conclude the preseason with a 2-2 record having won their first two games overseas against teams from Australia but falling to the Rockets and the Magic, who finish with a 4-0 preseason record.
The Pelicans will play their first 2025-26 regular season game on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Email Spencer Urquhart at [surquhart@theadvocate.com](mailto:surquhart@theadvocate.com).