As the Magic returned home from Orlando‘s two-game road trip at Minnesota and Milwaukee, the team learned more about two key players and their respective injuries.
Franz Wagner continues to progress from an extended rehabilitation of a left high ankle sprain, the Orlando Sentinel learned Tuesday morning. His return will continue to depend on how he responds to rehab, a league source said.
In addition, Anthony Black underwent an MRI which revealed a left lateral abdominal muscle strain, the Sentinel learned. His return will depend on how he responds to treatment, the league source said.
The team confirmed both injury updates, but an exact timeline for each player to return to the court was not provided by the Magic.
Both players have been ruled out for Wednesday’s game on ESPN against the Cavaliers. Meanwhile, Jonathan Isaac (left knee strain) and rookie Jase Richardson (low back strain) were listed as questionable on the team’s initial injury report for the contest.
Wednesday marks three weeks since Wagner was ruled out indefinitely due to the left high ankle sprain that’s forced him to miss a total of 35 games this season.
He first missed 16 games (Dec. 9-Jan. 11) before making his way back for Orlando’s pair of contests against the Grizzlies in his hometown of Berlin on Jan. 15 and again played three days later in London. Upon returning back from Europe, however, he dealt with lingering soreness and sat out the next nine games (Jan. 22-Feb. 7) while managing the injury.
Wagner then returned a second time while coming off the bench on a strict minutes restriction in Orlando’s pair of home games against the Bucks ahead of the NBA All-Star break.
But during the league break, new imaging confirmed he required additional time and rehab before returning to full basketball activities. That’s when, on Feb. 18, the Magic ruled him out indefinitely and shared a three-week timeline for re-evaluation. He’s since missed the last 10 games.
Black’s latest injury occurred in the first two minutes of Saturday’s game at Minnesota.
As the Magic guard was fouled driving to the basket by Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, his body twisted and he immediately grabbed at his lower back after the play. Although Black remained in the game and missed a pair of free throws, he was still in pain after coming up with a steal a minute later.
That’s when Orlando called timeout and Black headed to the locker room before being ruled out of the contest at the half. Originally diagnosed with a low back strain, he then missed Sunday’s game at Milwaukee.
Black has missed a total of only three games this season but they’ve all come in the past nine days. He sat out two contests due to a right quad contusion first on March 1 vs. Detroit and then again two days later against Washington.
AP Photo/Aaron Gash
Magic guard Anthony Black smiles from the bench during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Bucks in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
His third season in the league has otherwise been his best. A candidate for the NBA’s most improved player, Black has averaged career-highs of 15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.7 minutes per night during 60 games, 40 of which he started.
Wagner, too, would likely be in the conversation for end-of-season honors had his second season in a row not been plagued by injuries. He’s averaged 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 31.8 minutes per night, but has only been available for 28 games.
The Magic are 16-12 with Wagner this season, but have gone 19-16 without him.
Orlando (35-28) hosts Cleveland on Wednesday in the first game of a back-to-back at Kia Center. The Wizards come to town the next night.
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
Magic vs. Cavaliers
When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Kia Center
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida, ESPN