Franz Wagner stepped up in numerous methods for the Orlando Magic when All-Star ahead Paolo Banchero tore his indirect.
And now Wagner has the identical harm.
Wagner has a torn proper indirect in a devastating blow for a workforce that survived the lack of Banchero and can play within the NBA Cup quarterfinals, however will now be with out its second-leading scorer for no less than 4 weeks and doubtless longer.
“Wagner will likely be out indefinitely and his return to play will rely on how he responds to therapy,” the Magic mentioned in an announcement saying the harm on Saturday. “He will likely be re-evaluated in 4 weeks.”
Wagner was injured in Friday’s loss to Philadelphia. He began every of Orlando’s first 25 video games this season, an enormous cause why the workforce is off to a 16-9 begin.
Wagner, definitely, has been Orlando’s finest participant within the workforce’s 20 video games since Banchero was injured in late October, averaging 26.1 factors, 6 rebounds and 6.3 assists in that span , main the Magic to a 13-7 report in these video games. video games, 13-3 within the final 16 video games.
He appeared headed for his first All-Star choice and was an early candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player award this season.
“All-Star,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley yelled earlier this week as he walked towards Wagner whereas talking to a gaggle of reporters. “I’m telling the reality. All-Star.”
All this now appears in peril. If the accidents are related – there isn’t any approach to understand how a lot sooner or slower Wagner’s restoration course of will likely be than Banchero’s, which is ongoing – then Wagner’s nomination for end-of-season awards just like the MIP could be in jeopardy as a result of NBA rule requiring gamers to look in no less than 65 video games to be eligible for such honors.
Banchero will miss his twenty first sport of the season when Orlando hosts Phoenix on Sunday. The Magic hope he can return by the top of the month.
Associated Press reporting.
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