Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner will be sidelined indefinitely following tests on his injured left ankle, the team announced Wednesday.
The Magic said they would re-evaluate Wagner’s progress in three weeks. Wagner has missed 25 of the past 29 games since sustaining the high ankle sprain on Dec. 7.
“Recent imaging confirmed Wagner requires additional time and rehabilitation before returning to full basketball activities,” the team stated.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said Wednesday of the 24-year-old German forward, “It’s so important — his ability to get it all the way right where he’s not trying to be in, then out, and then the soreness continues to get to him. Just making sure it’s right. … It’s the long haul for him. It’s the long part of his career that we’re looking at more than anything.
“We care about these guys and make sure they (are) fully physically-able to play when they step on the court.”
Wagner, 24, is averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 28 games (26 starts) this season, his fifth since Orlando made him the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
He has averaged 19.3 points, 4.9 boards and 3.7 assists in 319 career games (317 starts), shooting 47.5% from the field and 32.5% from 3-point distance.
The Magic (28-25) return from the All-Star break on Thursday night at Sacramento. Orlando sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
–Field Level Media
