Magic Forward Franz Wagner Sidelined Indefinitely With Ankle Soreness
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Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner will remain out for an unspecified period while he continues to deal with lingering soreness from a left high ankle sprain, the club announced Wednesday.
The organization said Wagner’s condition will be reviewed again in three weeks, giving medical staff additional time to monitor his rehabilitation.
Wagner, 24, sustained the original injury on Dec. 7 against the New York Knicks. Since then, he has appeared in only four of Orlando’s past 29 contests and has not been able to play more than two consecutive games during that span.
The absence extends a frustrating stretch of injuries for the Magic’s young core. Over the past two seasons, Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs have shared the floor in just 19 of the team’s 135 games—a mere 14.1%. When the trio has been available together this year (148 minutes), Orlando has shot 50.9% overall and 39.6% from three-point range, outscoring opponents by 40 points.
Through 28 appearances this season, Wagner is averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists while hitting 47.9% of his shots. Orlando scores 117.2 points per game when he plays, compared with 112.7 when he is sidelined.
The Magic hold a 28-25 record entering the All-Star break. They are 16-12 with Wagner in uniform and 12-13 without him. The 25 games he has already missed represent a career high.
Orlando resumes play Thursday in Sacramento against the Kings, followed by road matchups with the Phoenix Suns, LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers before returning home for a four-game homestand.
Source: ESPN
