ORLANDO, Fla. — Add Moritz Wagner to Orlando’s quickly increasing damage checklist.
The Magic’s backup centre, and the older brother of injured ahead Franz Wagner, went down with a doubtlessly severe left knee damage with 2:33 left within the first quarter of Saturday evening’s recreation in opposition to the Miami Warmth.
The Magic got here again to win 121–114, however the elation of their comeback was tempered by the prospect of an extended absence of a participant they take into account to be a Sixth Man of the 12 months candidate.
“We’re all praying for him. This one was for Mo,” stated centre Goga Bitadze. “It’s actually unhealthy to see considered one of our brothers go down. Like we’ve been saying, ‘Subsequent man up,’ However this man deserved higher than this.”
Magic coach Jamahl Mosely opened his post-game feedback with an emotional announcement that he couldn’t reply questions in regards to the six-foot-11 Wagner. The staff stated Wagner will endure additional analysis on Sunday.
Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, Orlando’s high two scorers, are out long-term with torn obliques. Banchero missed his twenty fifth recreation Saturday evening and Franz Wagner missed his fifth recreation. The Magic additionally performed Saturday with out guard Jalen Suggs, who was a late scratch after injuring his ankle in a recreation in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis on Thursday evening.
Mo Wagner’s knee buckled on a drive to the basket. He went down and was helped off the ground and introduced straight to the locker room.
He averaged 13.3 factors and 5.1 rebounds whereas enjoying 19.4 minutes per recreation. He has performed in all 29 Magic video games to this point this season and missed solely two video games final season.
“I believe he was going to be the Sixth Man of the 12 months. Hopefully he can come again and decide that up,” stated Cole Anthony, who led Orlando’s huge comeback Saturday evening.
“I name him a one-man military,” Bitadze stated. “We had been all enjoying for Mo. You take a look at the loopy numbers he’s had this season. Sixth man, positively.”
