New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic

The New Orleans Pelicans will face the Orlando Magic on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. This game marks the final preseason outing for both teams before the start of the regular season. It provides a key opportunity for coaches to finalize rotations and evaluate bench depth. Fans can expect a competitive atmosphere as both sides look to enter the new campaign with momentum and clarity on their lineup structures.

The Pelicans will be without veteran big man Kevon Looney, who is sidelined with a left knee ligament sprain expected to keep him out for several weeks. Centers Derik Queen and Karlo Matkovic are listed as day-to-day with minor injuries and could be limited if they play. As a result, rookie Yves Missi is set to see increased minutes in the frontcourt. For the Magic, guards Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner will miss the matchup due to knee injuries, while Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane are expected to return after brief absences. The Magic will rely more heavily on their secondary rotation players to fill gaps and sustain tempo, especially in the absence of Suggs’ perimeter defense.

Coaching tactics will differ slightly due to the preseason setting. Pelicans coach Willie Green is expected to prioritize pace and spacing, using smaller lineups to offset Looney’s absence and emphasize transition offense. The focus will likely be on getting Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram into rhythm through quick actions and testing combinations with new additions. Defensively, New Orleans may opt for more zone coverage to protect the interior. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, on the other hand, will aim to build chemistry among his core trio of Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Bane, while maintaining an active defensive identity built on switching and contesting shots. Expect Orlando Magic to push the ball early and look for mismatches on the perimeter.

Media coverage leading into the game has centered on how both teams are shaping up ahead of the season. The Pelicans have drawn attention for their reshuffled rotation and questions about interior depth with Looney unavailable. Commentators have noted that Williamson’s conditioning and the team’s ability to defend the paint will be key factors. The Magic, coming off a strong preseason run, have been praised for their young core’s balance of athleticism and shot creation. Analysts have described the matchup as a useful barometer for how each team’s lineup depth and chemistry are progressing, with the Magic slightly favored due to home advantage and continuity.

Studio analysts before tipoff are expected to highlight three main themes: how the Magic’s stars perform together, whether the Pelicans can compensate for missing size, and which fringe players make a final case for roster spots. Attention will be on Missi’s interior play and how New Orleans manages defensive rotations without Looney. Orlando’s focus will be on defensive rebounding and getting Banchero and Wagner quality looks within Mosley’s system. Most experts anticipate a fast-paced, high-energy game with frequent lineup changes. The general consensus is that Orlando has the edge thanks to depth and health, but the Pelicans’ explosiveness and unpredictability make them capable of pulling off a surprise result.