The Orlando Magic are set to host the Charlotte Hornets at the Kia Center on Friday night. The winner of the NBA Play-In Tournament game clinches the No. 8 seed in the East and faces the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the postseason.
Orlando came up short against the Philadelphia 76ers in the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup on Wednesday. They failed to keep up with Sixers late in the fourth quarter.
And to make matters worse, Franz Wagner suffered an injury scare late in the game after bumping knees with Wendell Carter Jr.
Magic Announce Wagner Injury Status
GettyFranz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic dribbles during the third quarter of the NBA Match between Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic at Uber Arena on January 15, 2026 in Berlin, Germany.
According to the Magic’s official injury report for Friday’s game, Wagner is available to play despite the scare. He walked gingerly and grabbed his left knee after colliding with Carter, who is not a small man at 6-foot 10 and 270 pounds.
Wagner was subbed out after it happened before returning to the game with 40 seconds remaining. He spoke to The Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Beede after the game and shared an optimistic update on what happened.
“Obviously, not the best person to run into, but yeah, I’m OK though,” Wagner said.
The German forward finished the game with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. He will need to step up against the Hornets if the Magic wants to qualify for the playoffs.
Wagner’s Season Plagued by Injuries
GettyFranz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic dribbles during the third quarter of the NBA Match between Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic at Uber Arena on January 15, 2026 in Berlin, Germany.
When Wagner grabbed his left knee, it must have been a scary thought for the Magic and their staff. It was the same side that has bothered the 24-year-old forward this season.
Wagner suffered a left high ankle sprain on December 7 against the New York Knicks, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. It initially looked like a devastating left knee injury, but he was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain.
He returned on January 15 against the Memphis Grizzlies, playing in his home country of Germany as part of the NBA’s European tour. He also played three days later in England before getting ruled out indefinitely because of left ankle soreness.
After playing two games against the Milwaukee Bucks before the All-Star break, Wagner was once again ruled out due to the same left ankle injury. He missed the next 22 games, suiting up for six of the Magic’s final seven games of the regular season.
Will Wagner’s Minutes Remain Limited?
In the Magic’s loss to the Sixers, Wagner played in just 29 minutes since he’s still under minutes restriction. He hasn’t played 30 minutes or more since December 5.
With the season on the line against the red-hot Hornets, Wagner might get the green light to play at least 30 minutes. He’s averaging 17.2 points on 49.4% from the field since returning on April 1.
The Magic are 1-3 against the Hornets in the regular season.
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