Franz Wagner ruled out of Game 6 as Magic try to finish Pistons
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner will not play in Friday’s Game 6 of the first-round series against the Detroit Pistons because of a right calf strain, the team said Wednesday.
The injury will sideline the 22-year-old for a second straight contest. Wagner, seen in a walking boot while the club was in Detroit, was hurt during the third quarter of Game 4 on Monday and did not return for the final period of that 94-88 victory.
Without him in Game 5, Orlando fell 116-109, trimming its lead to 3-2 in the best-of-seven matchup. If necessary, Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday in Detroit.
In Wagner’s absence Tuesday, Paolo Banchero scored 45 points on 17-for-31 shooting, but Pistons guard Cade Cunningham matched that total with a franchise playoff record 45 points on 13-for-23 from the field. Through the first four games, with Wagner as his primary defender, Cunningham had been held to 17 points on 6-for-24 shooting and six turnovers, according to ESPN tracking data.
Wagner is averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals in the series. Orlando needs one more win to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2020.
Source: ESPN
