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NBA Speculations

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NBA Speculations

David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images Franz Wagner, forward for the Orlando Magic, is sidelined indefinitely due to a torn right oblique incurred during his team’s 102-94 away defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Shams Charania @ShamsCharania Breaking news: Orlando Magic star forward Franz Wagner has sustained a torn […]

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 6: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 6, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

Franz Wagner, forward for the Orlando Magic, is sidelined indefinitely due to a torn right oblique incurred during his team’s 102-94 away defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

Breaking news: Orlando Magic star forward Franz Wagner has sustained a torn right oblique and is out indefinitely, according to sources for ESPN. Wagner hurt himself on Friday night and will undergo re-evaluation in four weeks. pic.twitter.com/PNYmB0VnyS

This is a major setback for the Magic, who have already missed All-Star Paolo Banchero for most of the regular season due to a torn right oblique.

Wagner has been having an impressive season, aiding the 16-9 Magic to rank third in the Eastern Conference with his averages of 24.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. He posted an average of 31.7 points per game over his last three outings.

He and Banchero formed one of the best duos in the NBA early in the season, with the 2022 No. 1 overall pick averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in his five games.

Banchero does not yet have a specific timetable for his return, but offered some positive updates on December 1, according to Mason Williams from Magic on SI.

“I’m feeling good, man,” Banchero expressed. “I finally got to do some court work during this trip in practice – some ball handling, some shooting drills. It felt amazing to do those activities again because I literally hadn’t been able to do anything for a month. It was my first time really dribbling or shooting a ball, so [it] felt incredibly good to engage in that.

“Of course, there wasn’t any sprinting or cutting involved, but hopefully in the next few weeks, I can start to incorporate more of that and gradually get myself back into playing form,” Banchero added.

Meanwhile, the Magic will have to continue without both of their star forwards, which poses a significant challenge for a team that heavily relies on their offensive contributions.

Key players like Jalen Suggs (15.5 PPG), Moe Wagner (12.8 PPG), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (8.3 PPG), and Anthony Black (8.0 PPG) will need to step up in terms of scoring. This also applies to rookie Tristan Da Silva (7.1 PPG), who has been starting in place of Banchero. Jett Howard is another player expected to receive increased playing time.

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