Franz

Wagner

Wagner left Game 4 after playing 24 minutes with a calf injury and hasn’t played since. He’s now set to miss Game 7. The tides turned without him in the series as the Magic are in the process of blowing a 3-1 lead to the Pistons. Jamal Cain started Game 6 in Wagner’s place, but had just three points in 20 minutes while Anthony Black had eight points in 34 minutes off the bench.

During the regular season, Black was usually the replacement in the Magic starting lineup when the team was down a perimeter starter. However, that was not the case for Game 5, as Franz Wagner was out with a strained calf. Jamal Cain (five points, four rebounds and one assist), who had some good moments in Games 3 and 4 defending Cade Cunningham, received the nod but offered limited value in 45 minutes. Black, who totaled 22 points in the first four games of the series, played 39 minutes and had a good night at the office. We’ll see if Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley decides to start Black if Wagner remains out for Game 6 on Friday.

Wagner was not expected to be available for Game 5, and he is now officially out. Anthony Black is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, but there will also be additional playing time for Tristan da Silva and Jamal Cain as the Magic look to close out the Pistons. Wagner does not have a return timeline, so he may be down for multiple games.

Wagner is still officially listed as questionable with a right calf strain. It’s not looking good for the 24-year-old forward’s availability, though. Wagner missed shootaround Wednesday morning and Banchero told reporters the team doesn’t expect him to play. Jamal Cain, Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva are all candidates to pick up minutes with Wagner expected to be out.

Wagner left the Magic’s Game 4 win after scoring 19 points in 24 minutes with a right calf strain and didn’t return. The 24-year-old small forward is officially questionable for Game 5 against the Pistons on Wednesday. Wagner hasn’t been ruled out, but his lack of participation in shootaround isn’t a good sign. If Wagner sits, Jamal Cain, Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva are all candidates for increased minutes.

Wagner left Game 4 after only 24 minutes and didn’t return, and Shams notes that his availability will depend on his response to treatment. Wagner’s absence opened the door for Jamal Cain to log meaningful minutes, and Cain played a vital, fourth-quarter role in the Magic’s close victory. If Wagner is unable to take the court, Cain will likely be in line for expanded run, but Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva would be candidates for extra minutes, too.

Wagner played just 24 minutes before leaving with a calf injury. While he returned to the bench, the Magic deemed him questionable to return to the game and then held him out for the rest of regulation. Wagner’s status will likely have to be monitored ahead of Game 5 on Wednesday.

Wagner wasn’t efficient with 17 points on 18 attempts, but he had back-to-back clutch baskets late in the game that helped stop a storming Pistons comeback. He’s been effective late in both of the Magic’s wins in the series so far. Orlando will take a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 on Monday.

Wagner was one of many Pistons players to struggle on the offensive end; he shot poorly from the field, failed to make a three-pointer, and had more turnovers than he had assists. Decent production at the free-throw line ultimately helped him sneak into double figures as a scorer, but otherwise, the majority of his success came on defense in this game. Wagner led all players in steals on the evening in his 32 minutes, but he will look for a more balanced effort in Game 3.

Wagner was fairly quiet offensively through the first three quarters of Sunday’s contest, having totaled just eight points on 2-of-8 shooting. Yet, he served as Orlando’s closer. In the fourth quarter alone, the fifth-year forward consistently attacked the rim and ultimately converted all five of his field-goal attempts, scoring 11 of the Magic’s 31 points in the frame. Wagner ended as the team’s second-leading scorer on the evening and was one of five Magic players to log at least four assists. He was effective and timely in the victory, which is what Orlando hopes he can duplicate in Game 2.