Magic’s Franz Wagner Nears Return as Team Struggles with Injuries

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic received a glimmer of hope Wednesday as forward Franz Wagner‘s status was upgraded to questionable ahead of Thursday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Wagner, who has been sidelined due to injury, is nearing his return after entering the reconditioning phase of his recovery last week.

Wagner’s potential comeback comes at a critical time for the Magic, who have lost four consecutive games and are battling a slew of injuries. Before his injury, Wagner was averaging a career-high 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. His return could provide much-needed relief for star forward Paolo Banchero, who has faced increased defensive pressure in Wagner’s absence.

“It’s hard to imagine he’s not back for either Thursday’s game or Saturday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons,” a team source said. The Magic have struggled to find consistency, particularly on defense, where they have allowed an average of 116.0 points per game during their losing streak.

The Magic’s defensive woes have been compounded by their inability to force turnovers, a hallmark of their early-season success. Orlando averages an opponent turnover rate of 17.3 percent, the second-best mark in the league, but that figure has dipped to 16.7 percent during their recent skid.

Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers, despite their 15-28 record, have shown signs of life with back-to-back wins. Guard Anfernee Simons has been a key contributor, averaging 20.0 points per game over his last 12 outings. Rookie Scoot Henderson has also shown improvement, posting 18.5 points and 6.4 assists per game in his last eight contests.

The Magic and Trail Blazers will face off Thursday at the Kia Center in Orlando, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The game could mark Wagner’s return, providing a potential spark for a Magic team in desperate need of a turnaround.