The Orlando Magic got a major lift at the perfect time.
Forward Moritz “Moe” Wagner is expected to make his season debut in Sunday, January 11’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Wagner was tracking as a Sixth Man of the Year-type impact piece last season before a torn ACL ended his year in December, when he was averaging 12.9 points and 5.9 rebounds.
Key details
- Game: Pelicans at Magic
- When/where: Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Kia Center
- What’s new: Moe Wagner is expected to play his first game of the season
Magic Get Major Frontcourt Update Before Pelicans Game
Orlando has been trying to keep its footing through a messy stretch of availability issues, and Wagner’s return gives the second unit a familiar, high-motor big who can score in bunches.
The timing stands out because the Magic have recently been juggling absences for key pieces, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have both been listed out in recent games, while Moe Wagner himself had been sidelined as he finished his recovery process.
Sunday’s matchup is also clearly defined on the calendar: Orlando hosts New Orleans in a midday tip at home.
What It Means for Orlando’s Rotation
Wagner’s biggest value is that he helps Orlando stabilize minutes and roles,especially when the roster is missing other creators and energy guys.
When he’s right, Wagner can:
- anchor bench lineups as a scoring big (post-ups, quick finishes, second-chance points)
- keep pace up with his activity level
- take pressure off other frontcourt bodies who’ve had to stretch their minutes
Even if Orlando keeps him on a careful ramp-up, simply having another playable big can matter on a night-to-night basis in January.
Why This Boost Hits Different Right Now
This isn’t just “good injury news.” It also arrives with the team under a brighter spotlight internally after a recent rotation/effort controversy.
Earlier this week, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley took heat in some corners after a game in which he stuck with reserves and benched starters, framing it as a message about energy and effort.
Getting Wagner back gives Mosley another lever to pull as he tries to:
- reward the groups that have defended and played with pace
- avoid overextending lineups when key players are out
- keep the bench productive without relying on one hot hand
In other words: it’s reinforcements, and it’s also a cleaner path to consistent lineup combinations.
Stats, Schedule & Context
The Pelicans entered the matchup well off the Western Conference pace, while Orlando has been trying to stay in the thick of the East picture.
Orlando is also coming off a loss to Philadelphia on Friday night in a game where the Magic were again shorthanded.
What to watch Sunday: how quickly Wagner’s minutes build, and whether Orlando’s bench offense looks more organized with a true scoring big back in the mix.
How to Watch Pelicans vs. Magic
The Orlando Magic host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Kia Center in Orlando.
Start time: 3:00 p.m. ET
TV channel (local):
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Magic market: The broadcast is expected to be on FanDuel Sports Network Florida (Magic local TV home).
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Pelicans market: The game is expected to be available via Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, with Pelicans+ also listed as a viewing option for Pelicans fans.
Live stream options:
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FanDuel Sports Network app / Prime Video add-on (for viewers in the Magic broadcast region, where available).
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Pelicans+ (for eligible viewers in the Pelicans region, per team broadcast info).
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NBA League Pass for out-of-market viewers (blackout rules can apply).
Quick tip: If you can’t find it on your usual channel guide, check the team “how to watch” pages or your streaming app’s live guide, regional availability and exclusivity rules can change game to game.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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