Franz Wagner finally broke his silence about the gruesome leg injury he suffered in the Orlando Magic’s 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday. According to him, he was surprised that he only sustained a high ankle sprain that will keep him out for the next few weeks.
“Kind of mixed feelings,” Wagner explained via Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Beede. “Super relieved, but at the same time, bummed that I’m going to be out for a couple weeks. Definitely caught a break there a little bit, and I’m blessed that it’s just a high ankle sprain.”
Wagner underwent an MRI on Monday after he was injured in the first quarter, and the result showed no structural damage to his left leg. The injury appeared to be much worse after he landed awkwardly on the floor during an alley-oop attempt, which New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti contested.
With Wagner on the sidelines, the Orlando Magic have relied more on Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero, while Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva have had more playing time and usage.
Orlando Magic News: Paolo Banchero ecstatic about reaching the NBA Cup semifinals
The Orlando Magic have punched their tickets to Las Vegas despite not having Franz Wagner in their 117-108 win against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night. Desmond Bane led the way with 37 points, six rebounds, five assists, and six three-pointers on 14-for-24 shooting.
Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr., Tristan da Silva, and Anthony Black added 20, 18, 14, 11, and 10 points, respectively. Their opponent in the East semifinals is the New York Knicks, who defeated the Toronto Raptors in the quarterfinals.
“It’s always good when you get to play for something,” Banchero said about advancing. “It ups the intensity, simulates the playoffs a little bit early in the season, so yeah, fun environment.”
