Orlando Magic’s Postseason Success Hinges on Franz Wagner Returning to Full Strength Franz Wagner is back for the Orlando Magic and still getting his legs under him as the team tries to stay afloat in the Play-In Tournament. Early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Boston Celtics, Wagner checked out with the Magic down 11 points. It was odd to see him come out less than a minute into the quarter, but it was clear he was struggling. The ESPN broadcast spent at least part of the fourth quarter before Wagner returned with 3:06 to play, and the Magic trailing by seven, with shots of Wagner on the bench. His left ankle and leg are still heavily wrapped every time he is out of the game. It is so clear the Magic are milking every moment they can get out of Wagner since he returned from a high ankle sprain and the setbacks that led to two false starts in his return. The focus on Wagner is warranted. The Magic are clearly a better team with him on the floor, even for the limited capacity he is on now. But now that the postseason is here, the Magic know they need Wagner to have any kind of success of advancing. And Wagner is seemingly doing all he can to give the Magic whatever he can. “I’m trying to push through. Get as much time out there as I can. I feel all right,” Wagner said in the locker room after Sunday’s loss. “It’s frustrating [not playing his full minutes]. But there’s only one way to get past that, and that’s to push through it. I want to do it the smart way. But to go to that point the smart way, that’s all I can do.” It was not the first time it seemed like Wagner needed to come out of the game. He seemed to call himself out of the game in the second quarter of the game on Sunday as well as in the second quarter of Friday’s win over the Chicago Bulls.#desmond_bane #orlando_magic #franz_wagner #play_in_tournament #jamahl_mosley
Orlando Magic’s Five-Game Win Streak Solves Season-Long Inconsistency Crisis The Orlando Magic’s five-game win streak has marked a turning point in their season, addressing a long-standing issue of inconsistency that plagued the team throughout the year. For much of the campaign, the Magic struggled to maintain momentum, often squandering leads and failing to close out games, particularly in the second half. This pattern culminated in a six-game losing streak in March, which highlighted their inability to adapt and execute under pressure. However, the recent surge has seen the team transform their approach, leveraging defensive discipline, improved communication, and a renewed focus on fundamentals to secure victories. With the season nearing its conclusion, the Magic are now positioned to make a playoff push, having finally solved the puzzle that had eluded them for months. The Magic’s struggles were most evident in the third quarter, where they consistently failed to maintain their lead. Since March 16, when the six-game losing streak began, the team posted a -10.6 net rating in the third quarter, compounded by a defensive rating of 126.8. This weakness was emblematic of a broader issue: the team’s inability to adjust after halftime, often allowing opponents to claw back into games. The problem was exacerbated by turnovers and a lack of cohesion, as seen in their early-season losses. However, the recent win streak has seen a dramatic shift. Over the past five games, the Magic have dominated the third quarter, posting a +25.2 net rating and a defensive rating of 105.3. This turnaround has allowed them to build substantial leads, with the team often taking control of games after halftime and never looking back. A key factor in this transformation has been the Magic’s improved defensive focus.#orlando_magic #jalen_suggs #chicago_bulls #franz_wagner #jamahl_mosley
