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Jason Beede: The #Magic list Wendell Carter Jr. (left rib mild contusion) as Questionable for Saturday’s game vs. the Lakers. Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal strain), Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) all remain OUT.
Whether Wagner is able to re-join his teammates on the floor sometime in the final stretch of the regular season remains to be seen, as he continues his extended rehab of a high left ankle sprain. Tuesday’s matchup with Oklahoma City, which the Magic lost by five points, 113-108, after they trailed by as many as 18 in the first half, marked the 40th game Wagner missed this year due to what he described as a “very frustrating process.” “Going into it, I was kind of expecting to feel really good within like 4-6 weeks of the injury,” Wagner told the Orlando Sentinel in the locker room after Tuesday’s game about the injury he suffered Dec. 7 at New York. “And obviously that wasn’t how I felt. So, I think that’s always frustrating probably not just for me (but) for everybody involved.”
After both instances, pain from the injury returned, indicating he needed more time to properly heal while dealing with the first high ankle sprain in his career. “I think it was a little special circumstances with the Berlin game,” he said. “I take responsibility for playing in that game and really pushing to play in that game, and it was probably a little too soon. And then, super frustrating for me to do it a second time around and still not feel up to par prior to the All-Star break. “So, it’s been a tough year,” he added. “Obviously I’ve got great respect for everybody here and I think we’re just trying to make best out of the situation.”
The playoffs begin a month from Wednesday and there are only 14 games remaining in the regular season for the Magic, starting Thursday at Charlotte. “Yeah, I think that’s the nature of this thing — I feel pressure,” he said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to play in that game in Berlin. I want to be available for the team and help my team win, regardless of how many games are left in the season honestly. “Obviously it gets more pressing and pressing by the day, but at this point, I’ll be honest, I just want to be healthy and 100% and really finish the rehab,” he added. “Can’t do any half-rehabs anymore.”
The Magic are 16-12 with Wagner available this season and, after a recent seven-game winning streak, they’re 22-18 without him. But after back-to-back losses against the Hawks and Thunder, Orlando could use Wagner’s skillset on both ends of the court. He’s averaged 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals during 31.8 minute night across 28 games this season. “I feel like I’m progressing well and haven’t had pain really in my rehab, so that’s a good sign,” he said.
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Cody Taylor: Anthony Black and Franz Wagner remain out for the Magic as they host the Thunder tonight: The full injury report:
Jason Beede: The #Magic list Jett Howard (illness) as Questionable for Monday’s game at Atlanta. Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal strain), Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) all remain OUT.
Along with being frustrated with himself, Banchero added that he was “frustrated with the overall state of the team” during the first half of the season. Banchero averaged 21.3 points on 45.4% shooting from the field, 8.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 43 appearances prior to the All-Star break. The Magic’s first-half record, however, didn’t help Banchero’s cause — they opened 1-4 before landing at 28-25 at the break. Injuries have also unquestionably played a role in the Magic’s struggles, as Banchero and fellow starters Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have each missed significant time. Banchero, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick, missed 10 games with a left groin strain suffered in early December, yet blamed himself for the Magic’s slow start. “As a team, we didn’t really find a rhythm at the start of the year,” Banchero said. “Some of that had to do with me being injured and coming back. Just frustrating in that aspect.”
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Shams Charania: Franz Wagner has missed 25 of the last 29 games since sustaining the high ankle sprain on Dec. 7. This continues a run of injury woes for the Magic. Over last season and this campaign, Orlando's trio of Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs have played in only 14.1% of games (19 of 135).
Cody Taylor: Franz Wagner is available to play tonight.
The Magic have some additional help on the way. Cornerstone forward Franz Wagner is expected to play after missing 25 of the last 27 games with an ankle injury. He will, however, be on a heavy minutes restriction. “He’s an All-Star, to be honest, when he’s healthy,” said Magic guard Jalen Suggs of Franz. “Having him back is huge. The gravity he pulls on offense (and) the way he’s been guarding defensively. Just having that back as part of our unit makes a big difference.”
