Franz

Wagner

Shams notes that “recent tests showed that he requires additional time and rehabilitation for soreness in his left high ankle sprain. The Magic will evaluate Wagner’s progress in three weeks.” With the NBA and fantasy basketball seasons drawing to a close, a three-week timeline for re-evaluation puts serious doubt on Wagner’s availability after he is cleared and begins ramping back up. This is a massive blow for Orlando and Wagner’s fantasy managers. Anthony Black should continue to soak up minutes, and he should be rostered everywhere. Black has made the most of his new opportunities and is enjoying a breakout campaign.

Monday’s game was just Wagner’s third since initially spraining his left ankle during a December 7 loss to the Knicks, and his minutes were handled accordingly. He played 17 minutes against the Bucks, with the Magic bringing Franz off the bench. That could be the approach taken in Wednesday’s rematch, with Wagner being allowed to do more after the All-Star break.

A late addition to the injury report, Carter is good to go for Monday’s game. Despite Franz Wagner returning from an ankle injury, Anthony Black will remain in the Magic starting lineup.

Due to a sore left ankle, Carter was added to the Magic injury report following pregame shootaround. If he’s unable to play against the Bucks, Orlando could go one of two ways. Starting Goga Bitadze would ensure that a true center is in the lineup. However, with Franz Wagner (ankle) available and Milwaukee’s Myles Turner spending more time on the perimeter than in the post, Orlando could also go small with its starting lineup.

Wagner last played on January 18, but he’ll make his return after three weeks on the sideline. He may face a minutes restriction in his first game back, but Wagner’s return will likely mean less playing time for Anthony Black.

On Thursday, Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said that Wagner was “very close” to returning. Monday could be that day, as he’s listed as questionable on the injury report. The only question is whether he’ll start immediately, likely bumping Anthony Black to the bench, or come off the bench upon being cleared to play. Managers who have rostered Black should not drop him if he’s moved to the bench.

Wagner has appeared in only two games since suffering a high left ankle sprain during a December 7 game against the Knicks. Getting him back will give Orlando a much-needed boost on the playmaking front. With Wagner already out for Thursday’s game against the Nets, the next opportunity for him to play would be on Saturday against the Jazz. While Anthony Black may be the player who heads to the bench, he’s worth holding onto in 12-team leagues.

Wagner is set to miss his eighth game in a row with left high ankle sprain injury management. While there’s no clear timetable for his return, his next chance to play will come Saturday against the Jazz. Anthony Black will remain in the starting lineup until Wagner is ready to play.

This will be a sixth straight absence for Wagner, and there isn’t much of a timeline for when he’ll return to the lineup, other than to assess things game-by-game. Anthony Black will continue to start in his place.

Wagner will remain out for Sunday’s game, the sixth that he’s missed due to left ankle injury management. Anthony Black will remain in the starting lineup until something changes regarding the Magic forward.