Magic rule Franz Wagner out for Game 7 against Pistons
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The Orlando Magic will play Sunday’s decisive Game 7 of their first-round series without forward Franz Wagner, who remains sidelined by a right calf strain, the team said Friday.
Wagner sustained the injury in the third quarter of Game 4 on April 28 and has missed the past two contests. Orlando dropped both games, allowing the Detroit Pistons to erase a 3-1 deficit and force the winner-take-all matchup at Little Caesars Arena.
His absence has had a noticeable impact on Detroit star Cade Cunningham. According to ESPN tracking data, Cunningham totaled 17 points on 6-for-24 shooting (3-for-16 from three) with six turnovers when guarded primarily by Wagner over the first four games. In the two games since Wagner went out, Cunningham is averaging 38.5 points while hitting 50% from the field and 58% from beyond the arc.
Through the first four games, Wagner averaged 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals.
Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday in Detroit; the winner advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Source: ESPN
