The Orlando Magic are playing Game 7 of their first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons without Franz Wagner, as the star is out for the winner-take-all contest with a right calf strain.
Wagner hasn’t played since Game 4 and was ruled out early ahead of Sunday’s Game 7, so his injury status doesn’t come as a surprise for the Magic. Still, on the verge of dropping a historic 3-1 lead over the top-seeded Pistons, Orlando will need all the help it can get to become one of just seven eighth seeds to make it to the conference semifinals.
Before the crucial Game 7, the Magic announced their starting lineup and final injury report against the Pistons.
Orlando Magic Announce Starting Lineup For Game 7 vs Pistons
GettyOrlando Magic players Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane celebrate. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Just ahead of tipoff for Game 7, Orlando took to social media to confirm their starting five.
Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Jamal Cain, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr. all got the nod as starters by head coach Jamahl Mosley and his staff.
Cain has stepped up in the injured Wagner’s place, and his highlight of the series so far was a dunk on Jalen Duren of the Pistons that went viral shortly after.
Through the regular season, the Magic had started Tristan da Silva while Wagner was out with a foot injury, but in these playoffs, Cain has become the priority.
As has been the case all series, Banchero and Bane will remain Orlando’s top scoring options, but they’ll need additional support from Carter on the defensive end against Duren.
Magic Injury Report, Franz Wagner Update
GettyBERLIN, GERMANY – JANUARY 15: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic reacts during the fourth quarter of the NBA Match between Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic at Uber Arena on January 15, 2026 in Berlin, Germany.
Wagner is out with a calf strain he suffered in Game 4. The German forward has dealt with several big health concerns so far this season, and the lower leg injury is just another one that is keeping him out in the Magic’s most important game of the year.
An official injury return timeline for Wagner remains unknown, and according to Jason Beedle of the Orlando Sentinel and Hunter Patterson of The Athletic, even Mosley doesn’t know when the Magic could get Wagner back if they are able to win Game 7 and advance to the second round.
Along with him, the Magic injury report features Jonathan Isaac, who is out with yet another knee injury, one of many that have sidelined his career over the past few seasons. Isaac hasn’t played since mid-March, and like Wagner, if the Magic can advance, his status going forward remains unknown.
As for the Pistons, they had Kevin Huerter listed as questionable in the lead-up to Game 7 with an abductor strain. He didn’t play in Game 5 or 6, and before Sunday’s contest, he was ruled ___.
Game 7 is a big deal for both sides, as the Magic could either become one of just a few eighth seeds to beat a top-seeded team. However, if they lose, it will be a historic 3-1 series lead fumble, and the pre-series favorites in the Pistons will advance.
The crucial Magic vs Pistons Game 7 will tip off on Sunday, May 3, at 3:30 pm EST and will be live on ABC.
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