Jamal

Cain

With Anthony Black (ankle) sidelined for the second leg of this back-to-back, Cain will start for the first time this season. Cain has been a rotation piece this season, and while the increased role should help his production, he isn’t worth streaming in on a 15-game day.

Management of Isaac’s left knee injury will keep him out of a second consecutive game, but his continued absence won’t significantly impact the Magic rotation. Tristan da Silva and Jamal Cain remain Orlando’s top two bench options at forward.

Cain earned consistent rotation minutes in the final month of the 2025-26 season, including starting the final three games of Orlando’s first-round playoff series against the Pistons. He appears well-positioned to play consistent minutes in 2026-27, and Friday’s performance was a good way to end the preseason. Cain is worth a look in very deep fantasy leagues, and he may be worth streaming at times due to injury.

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.

The Magic won’t have Franz Wagner (calf) for Game 5, and he could miss multiple games. While Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva have been the replacements in the starting lineup in the past, they’ll come off the bench for Wednesday’s game. Cain has received the nod, and he played quality minutes in Orlando’s Game 4 victory.

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.

Carter and Cain are good to go after being listed as questionable on the initial injury report. The former will take on his usual duties as the starting center, while the latter may pick up some rotation minutes off the bench.