In 13 video games this season, the Orlando Magic are 7-6. After their fifth recreation of the season, PF Paolo Banchero tore his proper indirect. The all-star was injured in the beginning of November and will likely be reevaluated in four-to-six weeks. Whereas Banchero is out, the Magic have turned to SF Franz Wagner to be their finest offensive participant.
To start the 2024-25 season, Banchero was averaging (29.0) factors per recreation for the Magic. With the large man out, Franz Wagner has taken on the duties of being the #1 scoring possibility. After a five-game skid for Orlando, they’ve received their final 4 in a row. Wagner has led Orlando in scoring in every of these 4 wins and their final seven performed. They want him to proceed enjoying nicely till Paolo Banchero can return from harm.
Franz Wagner is enjoying at an all-star degree for the Magic whereas Paolo Banchero is out
Franz Wagner in his final 5 video games:
28 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast27 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast23 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast32 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl29 pts, 3 reb, 6 ast pic.twitter.com/hshV9EVKQH
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 14, 2024
With the eighth decide within the 2021 NBA draft, the Magic chosen Franz Wagner out of Michigan. The 23-year-old has began all 244 video games he’s performed for Orlando. As a scorer, Wagner has continued to develop in every season he’s performed with the Magic. Via 11 video games in 2024-25, Wagner is averaging (21.5) factors per recreation. Within the final eight video games that Paolo Banchero has missed, Wagener is averaging (23.9) factors per recreation. Orlando wants that kind of manufacturing in the event that they wish to hang out in the East.
Wagner has scored not less than 22 factors in every of his final six video games. The previous first-round decide mentioned he’s needed to change his mentality on the kind of photographs he’s taking. He’s used to enjoying basic group basketball and dealing for one of the best shot. Whereas Banchero is out, Wagner is being pressured to take photographs within the mid-range that he’s not used to. That’s a part of rising as a participant and this expertise will solely assist Wagner in his skilled profession. On Friday, the Magic are at house to play the Philadelphia 76ers. They’ll look to maintain their four-game win streak alive.
