After pushing the Cleveland Cavaliers to a seventh game in their 2024 first-round playoff series, it looked like the Orlando Magic were set up to be a force in the league for some time. Led by young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the team even took an 18-point lead in that decisive Game 7 before eventually losing. But that momentum did not carry forward as expected.
How Have Injuries Impacted the Orlando Magic Lately?
Indeed, injuries ravaged the 2024-25 season. Banchero suffered a torn oblique early in the year and missed 36 games. Wagner sustained his own oblique tear midseason, sitting out 22 games. Meanwhile, point guard Jalen Suggs, Orlando’s defensive starter and perhaps the heart of the team, had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee for a cartilage fragment/trochlea injury late in the season, limiting him to just 19 games.
Despite these challenges, the Magic managed to finish seventh in the Eastern Conference and defeat the Atlanta Hawks before falling to the defending champion Boston Celtics in five games in the first round.
Heading into the offseason, the Magic made a major move to bolster their roster. They sent four first-round picks, along with guards Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for borderline All-Star Desmond Bane. The goal was to add another younger piece to their core of Banchero, Wagner, and Suggs, as well as develop talents like Anthony Black. Yet, as the new season began, the Magic found themselves battling health issues once more.
Banchero returned to the lineup on Friday, December 5, after missing 10 games with a groin strain. He is now on a minutes restriction as the team eases him back into action.
In the first half of Sunday’s loss to the Knicks, Wagner went up to catch an alley-oop but was knocked to the ground. He stayed down for a few minutes, holding his leg, before teammates helped him off the court. Among those assisting was his brother, Mo, who is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season and has yet to suit up during the current campaign.
Fans expressed concern following the incident, and the Magic stated they would provide updates after Wagner returned to Orlando and underwent an MRI on Monday.
How Long Will Franz Wagner Be Out?
Wagner had his MRI on Monday, and the Magic received positive news, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner has sustained a high left ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported. “Typically an injury like this has a timeframe of 2 to 4 weeks. Overall, tremendous results after MRI today showed no structural damage on his left leg.”
Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner has sustained a high left ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN. Typically an injury like this has a timeframe of 2 to 4 weeks. Overall, tremendous results after MRI today showed no structural damage on his left leg. pic.twitter.com/4mECcVSxXM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 8, 2025
With initial fears that Wagner could miss the season, this update provides encouraging news for a Magic franchise seeking to contend in the Eastern Conference this year.
With Jayson Tatum injured for the Celtics and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton out for the season, there are open spots in the top portion of the East. A fully healthy Magic team may have the horses to make real noise in the postseason.
Wagner is averaging a team-high 22.7 points while grabbing 6.1 rebounds and dishing out 3.7 assists per game. He’s shooting a career-high 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three. This is a massive improvement, as he shot under 30% from beyond the arc each of the last two seasons.
Unfortunately, the Magic will not have Wagner available for their NBA Cup quarterfinals game against the rival Miami Heat on Tuesday night. Wagner is expected to continue his recovery and miss at least the next several games.
The Magic are 2-0 against the Heat this season, holding on for a 106-105 win in Banchero’s return Friday night and earning a 125-121 win in the season opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, and the game will air on Prime.
