The Orlando Magic will be without leading scorer Franz Wagner when they welcome the Miami Heat for an NBA Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday.
The concern is that it could be an extended absence.
Wagner, who averages 22.7 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 36% from 3-point range, suffered a left high ankle sprain in the first quarter of Sunday’s 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Wagner landed awkwardly after attempting to slam an alley-oop pass from teammate Anthony Black. An MRI on Monday confirmed the sprain, and ESPN reported that two to four weeks is the likely timetable for a return.
“That hurt my heart watching him hit the floor,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “I’m just praying everything is going to be OK with him. You just don’t like to see that happen to anyone, especially (Wagner), who does everything the right way at all times he’s on the floor.”
The Magic have won 10 of their last 14 games, but struggled to keep pace with New York following Wagner’s early exit.
Jalen Suggs scored 17 points and Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero had 16 apiece for Orlando, which shot 28.6% (12 of 42) from beyond the arc.
“That’s part of when you say it’s a make-or-miss league,” Mosley said. “You have to give yourself a chance. To hold them to 106 and rely on our defense, that’s something we have to continue to hang our hat on. But again, when you step on the floor and step into your shot, you’ve got to do it with confidence.”
The Magic have won their previous two meetings against Miami this season by a combined five points, including a 106-105 home victory last Friday.
Miami is searching for answers after losing three straight games for the first time this season. The Heat trailed by as many as 28 in a 127-111 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
“It was not one of our finer games, but we’ll regroup,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I want our guys to get as much rest as possible. We have a practice day (Monday), which is good. I think we do need to get back in the gym and just fine-tune some things and get ready for Tuesday.”
Spoelstra is monitoring the status of Tyler Herro (right big toe contusion), Davion Mitchell (right groin tightness) and Pelle Larsson (right hip flexor tightness). All three were listed as questionable on Monday.
After playing three games in four days, Miami received two welcome off days ahead of Tuesday’s matchup.
With their starting backcourt of Herro and Mitchell sidelined against Sacramento, the Heat were forced to use their 10th different starting lineup in 24 games.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. led Miami with 27 points against the Kings, while Simone Fontecchio added 20 and Norman Powell chipped in 18. Powell said the Heat will use their time off to make adjustments ahead of the rematch with Orlando.
“We’re going to tighten some things up and let our bodies rest and recover,” Powell said. “Come back Monday, watch some film, see how we can get better and then get ready for Orlando again.”
–Field Level Media
