manila game NBA: Magic lose Franz Wagner to same injury as Paolo Banchero’s
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Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner dribbles against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Franz Wagner stepped up in countless ways for the Orlando Magic when All-Star forward Paolo Banchero tore his oblique.
And now, Wagner has the same injury.
Article continues after this advertisementWagner has a torn right oblique in a crushing blow for a team that survived the loss of Banchero and will play in the NBA Cup quarterfinals — but now will be without their second-leading scorer for at least four weeks and likely longer.
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS LIVE: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 1 - La Salle vs UP SPORTS NCAA: Mapua gears up for possibility of title defense without its star SPORTS UAAP Finals: Past is past for La Salle, UP as title duel begins READ: NBA: Franz Wagner scores 35 to carry Magic past 76ers“Wagner will be out indefinitely and his return to play will depend on how he responds to treatment,” the Magic said Saturday in a statement announcing the injury. “He will be re-evaluated in four weeks.”
Wagner was hurt in Friday’s loss at Philadelphia. He started each of Orlando’s first 25 games this season, a huge reason why the team is off to a 16-9 start.
Article continues after this advertisementWagner, without question, has been Orlando’s best player in the 20 games the team has played since Banchero got hurt in late October, averaging 26.1 points, 6 rebounds and 6.3 assists in that span — leading the Magic to a 13-7 record in those contests, 13-3 in their last 16 games.
Article continues after this advertisementHe seemed headed toward his first All-Star selection and was an early candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player award this season.
Article continues after this advertisement READ: NBA: Magic’s Franz Wagner sinks Lakers with late 3“All-Star,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley yelled earlier this week as he walked toward Wagner speaking with a group of reporters. “I’m telling the truth. All-Star.”
All that seems in jeopardy now. If the injuries are similar — there’s no way of knowing how much faster or slower Wagner’s recovery process will be compared to Banchero’s, which is ongoing — then Wagner’s candidacy for end-of-season awards such as the MIP honor would be in jeopardy because of the NBA rule requiring players appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for such honors.
Article continues after this advertisementBanchero will miss his 21st game of the season when Orlando hosts Phoenix on Sunday. The Magic are hopeful that he may return by the end of the month.
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