The Orlando Magic missed their first chance to advance in the NBA Playoffs, and the absence of Franz Wagner could have significant consequences.
The Orlando Magic, as the No. 8 seed, are surprisingly on track to potentially eliminate the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. This playoff run has been more impressive than initially expected.
However, looking back at Games 3 and 4, which Orlando won, it became clear how much a relatively healthy Franz Wagner contributes to the Magic’s game. In those games, his strong defensive presence frustrated Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham, forcing 17 turnovers.
The German player, who has battled injuries this season, was primarily responsible for guarding Cunningham and also contributed an average of 16.8 points per game since the series began. His performance in Game 4 exemplified his crucial role on both ends of the court. He recorded the best plus/minus for the Magic (+17) alongside Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr., scoring 19 points in 24 minutes with good efficiency (7/15 FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) and four steals.
Wagner’s limited playing time to just 24 minutes in Game 4 was due to a new health setback, which could cost him not only the rest of the series but also have long-term implications. Wagner suffered a calf strain, an injury that raises alarms. An early return could lead to devastating consequences.
Recent high-profile injuries to superstars like Tyrese Haliburton in last year’s Finals, Jayson Tatum in last year’s playoffs, and Kevin Durant in the 2019 Finals serve as cautionary tales. All of them dealt with calf strains, took risks in their comebacks, and ultimately suffered Achilles tendon tears.
Franz Wagner’s Comeback? Paolo Banchero Urges Caution
For this reason, Wagner’s co-superstar Paolo Banchero urged caution before Game 5. «You don’t mess around with a calf strain,» he stated, calling an early return for Wagner «not very smart.»
Wagner himself expressed his disappointment with the latest setback. «It’s very frustrating. It always sucks to miss games. Especially in the playoffs. So I’m very frustrated,» said the 24-year-old.
Wagner has been plagued by injuries this season, already missing 48 regular-season games due to a prolonged ankle injury compounded by an ill-timed comeback in the Berlin Game. Now, at least one more game is expected to be missed.
Generally, an absence of at least two weeks is anticipated. However, Kevin Durant returned after four weeks in Game 5 of the 2019 Finals against the Toronto Raptors and subsequently tore his Achilles tendon. This highlights that a residual risk will likely remain for Wagner.
Because the Magic couldn’t compensate for his absence in Game 5, allowing Cunningham to score a playoff career-high of 45 points, the series has shifted back to Orlando with the Magic leading 3-2. The Magic will have another opportunity to close out the series at their home arena, the Kia Center, on Saturday night.