The Orlando Magic received a major boost on Thursday night as rising star forward Franz Wagner returned to the lineup against the Portland Trail Blazers. The 22-year-old German sensation had been sidelined since early December with a torn right oblique muscle, an injury that took the wind out of Orlando’s surging sails.
Prior to going down, Wagner was in the midst of a breakout campaign, posting averages of 24.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. His diverse skill set, high basketball IQ, and tireless work ethic had him on the fast track to his first All-Star appearance.
Franz is the type of player every team dreams of having. His impact goes way beyond the box score – he makes everyone around him better with his unselfishness, intensity, and winning attitude.
– Orlando Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley
Picking Up Where He Left Off
In his first game back, Wagner displayed no signs of rust, scoring 18 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists in just 24 minutes of action. His ability to seamlessly reintegrate himself is a testament to his tireless rehabilitation work behind the scenes.
“It felt great to be back out there competing with my teammates,” Wagner said after the game. “The medical staff did an amazing job getting me healthy and I used the time off to study a ton of film. I’m excited to help this group reach our full potential.”
Magic in the Playoff Mix
Despite extended absences from both Wagner and No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero, the Magic find themselves firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The dynamic young core led by Wagner, Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr., and Franz’s brother Moritz has proven resilient and talented beyond their years.
- Currently occupy the 8th seed at 23-22
- Just 3 games out of the 4th seed
- Banchero front-runner for Rookie of the Year
- Carter Jr. putting up career-best numbers
With their full arsenal now available, the Magic have their sights set on moving up the standings and securing home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Wagner’s playmaking, perimeter defense, and leadership will be instrumental in achieving that goal.
This group has shown incredible fight all season long. Getting Franz back is huge for us on both ends of the floor. I can’t wait to see how far we can go now that we’re at full strength.
– Magic Center Wendell Carter Jr.
Elevating His All-Star Case
If Wagner can regain his early season form quickly, he has a real chance to earn a reserve spot on the All-Star team. His all-around impact and team success make him a compelling candidate in a crowded field of Eastern Conference candidates.
Making the midseason showcase would be a fitting reward for Wagner’s rapid ascent. The Magic snagged him with the 8th pick in the 2021 draft, but he’s already playing at the level of a top 3 selection. His basketball journey from Berlin to Orlando is only getting started, with limitless potential ahead.
With their franchise cornerstone back in the fold, the Magic now have the look of a team no one will want to face come playoff time. Franz Wagner’s return could be the key that unlocks Orlando’s return to relevance in the NBA landscape.
