Jamal

Cain

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.

Cain isn’t expected to return to this game after suffering a left calf contusion. He contributed three points, two rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes. If Cain is forced to miss time moving forward, his minutes will likely be split between Franz Wagner, Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva.

Howard will miss a second consecutive game as he deals with a sprained left ankle. Jamal Cain played 28 minutes off the bench in Sunday’s win over the Pelicans and should take on a similar workload on Monday.

Carter’s 14 points were the most among Magic starters, with Jamal Cain (17 points, one rebound and two three-pointers) doing his damage off the bench. Carter has reached double figures in scoring in 11 of his last 12 appearances, and he’s been more consistent as a rebounder as well. As a result, the Magic center has been a top-100 player over the past three weeks. With Orlando playing two more games in Week 23, Carter would be worth a look in some 12-team leagues if he’s sitting on the waiver wire.