Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans: preview and player stats (Jan 8, 2027)

Injury/Illness - Right Knee Contusion / Bone Bruise (2026-11-13, MIL@ORL). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): Suggs (knee) participated in Friday's morning shootaround and remains questionable for Friday's game against the Bucks, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports. With Suggs having already been listed as questionable entering the day, his participation in shootaround is another positive sign in his recovery from the right knee bone bruise. He's trending in the right direction, but a final call on his availability will be made closer to the 7 p.m.ET tipoff.

Injury/Illness - Right High Ankle Sprain (2026-11-13, MIL@ORL). Prior reporting (2026-10-24): Banchero is expected to be sidelined for the next four-to-six weeks due to a right high-ankle sprain, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. Banchero left during Friday's loss against the Timberwolves due to an ankle injury, and follow-up tests have confirmed a high-ankle sprain for the fifth-year forward. With an extended absence expected, the Magic will have to rely more heavily on Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane offensively, and Tristan da Silva figures to be the top candidate to enter the Magic's starting lineup for as long as Banchero is sidelined.

Injury/Illness - Left Calf Strain (2026-11-13, MIL@ORL). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): Da Silva (calf) participated in Friday's morning shootaround and remains questionable for Friday's game against Milwaukee, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports. Da Silva has already missed multiple games due to the calf issue, but this is a step in the right direction. His participation in shootaround is a positive sign, but he'll still need to be cleared before Orlando can count on him for frontcourt minutes against the Bucks.

Injury/Illness - Left Shoulder Contusion (2026-11-13, MIL@ORL). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): Cain (shoulder) participated in Friday morning's shootaround and remains questionable for Friday's game against the Bucks, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports. With Cain still carrying a questionable tag after shootaround and his availability still unsettled heading into Friday, his participation in morning practice is a step in the right direction. Cain is averaging 7.0 points on 19.5 minutes per game this season.

Injury/Illness - Left Knee Injury Management (2026-11-13, MIL@ORL). Prior reporting (2026-11-09): Isaac (knee) is out for Tuesday's game against Sacramento. Isaac has yet to make his 2026-27 debut while continuing his rehab from a left knee injury. His next opportunity to take the court will arrive Wednesday in Utah.

Injury/Illness - Right Partially Torn Hamstring (2026-11-13, MIL@ORL). Prior reporting (2026-10-17): Penda was diagnosed with a partially torn right hamstring Saturday, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports. Penda suffered the hamstring tear in Friday's 136-115 preseason win over the Heat. It's unknown how long the injury will keep the 21-year-old off the floor. However, since it's a different injury than the one he suffered in the same hamstring during training camp, the team may take a cautious approach regarding his return. Penda, the No. 32 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, averaged 3.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 12.8 minutes per outing in 59 regular-season games in 2025-26. While he's not expected to be a mainstay in the rotation throughout the 2026-27 campaign, his absence could open up a few minutes for Tristan Da Silva.

Injury/Illness - Left Ankle Injury Recovery (2026-11-13, MIL@ORL). Prior reporting (2026-09-28): Team president Jeff Weltman said Monday that Nelson (ankle) remains about a month away from returning to the court after offseason surgery, per Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com. With Nelson still in recovery mode from the left ankle surgery he underwent this summer, his path back to game action remains delayed for the early part of the season. The rookie big man is on a two-way contract with the Magic, so his short-term absence mainly affects his developmental timeline rather than Orlando's regular rotation.

Injury/Illness - Bilateral Patellar Tendinopathy (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): Murphy (knee) is out for Friday's game against Memphis. Murphy will miss a third consecutive game while nursing bilateral patellar tendinopathy. He'll aim to return in the second leg of this back-to-back set against the Nuggets on Saturday. Saddiq Bey should continue to see an expanded role with Murphy on the sidelines.

Injury/Illness - Left Ankle Sprain (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): Murray (ankle) requested a trade from the Pelicans on Friday, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Charania also notes Murray's his agent and team officials have begun working toward a resolution. Murray, who's listed as doubtful for Friday's game against Memphis with an ankle sprain, could miss more time beyond that while New Orleans looks to find him a new destination.

Injury/Illness - Left Knee Contusion / Bone Bruise (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): Missi (knee) is out for Friday's game against the Grizzlies. Even though Missi has been trending in the right direction and was recently cleared to resume on-court activities, this game will come too soon for him. This means Missi will miss an 11th consecutive game while dealing with a left knee bone bruise. His next chance to play will come Saturday against the Nuggets, and in the meantime, Karlo Matkovic will remain in the starting lineup.

Injury/Illness - Left Elbow Infection (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): McGowens (elbow) is listed as out for Friday's game against the Grizzlies. McGowens has been downgraded from doubtful to out with a left elbow infection. He faces a quick turnaround to return ahead of Saturday's tilt against Denver.

Injury/Illness - Right Thumb Sprain (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): Mathurin (thumb) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against Memphis. Mathurin now has a better chance of suiting up after being listed as doubtful. The Pelicans are likely to re-evaluate the swingman closer to Friday's tipoff, but his status may not have a major impact on the rotation.

Injury/Illness - Right Ankle Sprain (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-11-12): Watford (ankle) is listed as out for Friday's game against the Grizzlies. Friday marks a third consecutive absence for Watford, who has no timetable for a return with a sprained ankle. His absence solidifies DeAndre Jordan's spot in the center rotation.

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP).

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-13, MEM@NOP).