Orlando Magic F Franz Wagner was injured in the first quarter of Sunday’s 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks. According to an announcement from the team, an MRI revealed that Wagner had suffered a high left ankle sprain, which likely offers a much shorter recovery period.
While the long-term diagnosis is good for Wagner, the Magic will be without the star forward’s services for Tuesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup against the Miami Heat.
Wagner had been an offensive force in all 24 games up to this point for a Magic team that currently sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Let’s take a closer look at Franz Wagner’s injury update tonight and check out some key stats and PrizePicks picks for the rest of the Magic’ players, including Paolo Banchero.
Franz Wagner Injury Update vs. Heat Tonight
During the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Knicks, Wagner bent his left leg awkwardly when he landed hard following a foul. Wagner initially grabbed at his knee, which signaled that the star forward could be dealing with a very serious injury.
Luckily for Wagner and the Magic, an MRI revealed that the injury was just a high left ankle sprain. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Magic believe that a typical recovery period for Wagner’s injury is two to four weeks.
Wagner has been Orlando’s most productive player up to this point in the season. He’s compiled averages of 23.4 points and 6.2 rebounds, while shooting 35.4% from three. On Friday, Wagner had scored 32 points on 12-of-22 shooting in a 106-105 win against the Heat.
Wagner helped shoulder the scoring load when F Paolo Banchero was sidelined with a groin injury over a 10-game period in which Orlando went 7-3. Banchero just returned on Friday against Miami.
Target Paolo Banchero With Franz Wagner Out?
With Wagner out of the lineup, there are a few members of the Magic who could thrive.
Magic F Tristan da Silva is likely to slot into Wagner’s spot as the team’s starting small forward. While da Silva doesn’t start on a regular basis, he does have 10 starts under his belt this season.
da Silva is one of Orlando’s more productive reserves as he’s averaging 10.0 points and 3.9 rebounds on the season. The 2024 first-round pick recently scored 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and secured 4 rebounds in a 114-112 loss vs. the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 3. Da Silva is projected for 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds (14.5 Pts+Rebs) vs. the Heat on PrizePicks NBA.
Meanwhile, with Wagner now sidelined, Banchero will likely be leaned on in an increased capacity going forward.
Since returning to the court last week, Banchero is averaging 12.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per contest. However, those minutes will likely be expected to increase without Wagner in the lineup.
Banchero is coming off his most productive performance since returning as he scored 16 points against the Knicks on Sunday. Now with Wagner out of the lineup, Banchero will be relied upon by the Magic to replicate his 2024-25 season in which he averaged 25.9 points and dominated on the offensive end of the floor.
Paolo Banchero Projections vs. Heat
Here are the most popular Paolo Banchero player picks vs. Heat tonight, via PrizePicks.
- 19.5 Points
- 7.5 Rebounds
- 27.5 Pts+Rebs
- 0.5 3PTM
Make Tuesday NBA Picks on PrizePicks
The Magic will again be without Franz Wagner tonight due an ankle injury as they take on the Heat in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Even without Wagner, there are plenty of Magic player picks to consider on PrizePicks to win real money if you're right, including Paolo Banchero and Tristan da Silva. Just pick at least two player stat projections — including from the Heat vs. Magic, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you're right.
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