The NBA All-Star break has now passed, and each team is buckling up for the home stretch of the season. However, the Orlando Magic received some unfortunate injury news, with Franz Wagner set to be sidelined indefinitely as he continues to recover from his left high ankle sprain. Wagner has suited up for just 28 games this season and missed 25 of his last 29 games leading into the break.
There were high hopes for the Orlando Magic coming into the season, after making the all-in trade for Desmond Bane. Through their first 53 games played, the Magic are 28-25 and sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. They hold the sixth-best odds of winning the Eastern Conference at +2800 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, and are tied for the 12th-best odds of winning the NBA Championship at +12000.
One of the biggest hurdles the Magic are still facing as a franchise is evaluating what the ceiling is of a team built around Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. The two have some overlapping skill sets, and have had some difficulties maximizing the team’s potential together to this point. However, there still has not been a fair enough sample size to come to a conclusion due to injuries to both players.
Since the start of last year, Wagner and Banchero have played 58 games together and are 29-29 in these matchups. Orlando has played 1,336 minutes with both on the floor, 1,571 minutes with just Wagner, 1,721 with just Banchero, and 1,854 without both.
Wagner and Banchero are each averaging 21.3 points per game this season. Wagner adds 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals, while Banchero adds 8.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
This recent injury status will provide another hurdle for evaluating the future of the duo together, and this Magic team finding its peak on the season.
Stay tuned to DK Network for live updates surrounding Wagner’s outlook and all other notable players moving forward.
