Magic’s Franz Wagner out indefinitely with lingering ankle soreness
Updated: 3:24 PM EST Feb 18, 2026
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner will be sidelined indefinitely as he continues to rehabilitate a left high ankle sprain and deal with ongoing soreness, the team announced Wednesday.President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said recent imaging showed Wagner needs additional time and rehabilitation before he can return to full basketball activities. Wagner is expected to be re-evaluated in about three weeks.Wagner was injured in the first quarter of a Dec. 7 game against the New York Knicks and has missed 25 games because of the sprain. He sat out 16 games from Dec. 9 through Jan. 11 before returning Jan. 15 in Berlin, Germany, and again Jan. 18 in London.The 6-foot-10 forward then missed nine more games from Jan. 22 through Feb. 7 while managing the injury. He returned on a minutes restriction, coming off the bench to play 16 minutes Feb. 9 against Milwaukee and 20 minutes Feb. 11, also vs. the Bucks.Wagner has played 28 games this season, making 26 starts. He is averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 31.8 minutes per game, shooting 82.8% from the free-throw line.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner will be sidelined indefinitely as he continues to rehabilitate a left high ankle sprain and deal with ongoing soreness, the team announced Wednesday.
President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said recent imaging showed Wagner needs additional time and rehabilitation before he can return to full basketball activities.
Wagner is expected to be re-evaluated in about three weeks.
Wagner was injured in the first quarter of a Dec. 7 game against the New York Knicks and has missed 25 games because of the sprain. He sat out 16 games from Dec. 9 through Jan. 11 before returning Jan. 15 in Berlin, Germany, and again Jan. 18 in London.
The 6-foot-10 forward then missed nine more games from Jan. 22 through Feb. 7 while managing the injury. He returned on a minutes restriction, coming off the bench to play 16 minutes Feb. 9 against Milwaukee and 20 minutes Feb. 11, also vs. the Bucks.
Wagner has played 28 games this season, making 26 starts. He is averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 31.8 minutes per game, shooting 82.8% from the free-throw line.