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
Suns' Jalen Green, Jordan Goodwin Exit with Injuries Jalen Green and Jordan Goodwin, two key players for the Phoenix Suns, exited their game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 9, 2026, due to injuries sustained during the contest. Green, who joined the Suns in the Kevin Durant trade, suffered a right knee injury and is questionable to return, while Goodwin left the game with a left ankle injury and is expected to miss time. The injuries occurred at different points in the first half, with Green limping off the court at the 8:10 mark of the first quarter and Goodwin heading to the locker room with 4:53 remaining in the first half. Green’s injury history has been a recurring issue since joining the Suns. After being acquired in the Durant trade, he was limited to 32 games in his first season with the team due to right hamstring and hip injuries. Despite starting all 82 games for the Houston Rockets in the previous two seasons, Green faced setbacks during his transition to Phoenix. He reaggravated a hamstring injury during preseason training camp, missed significant time, and then reaggravated the same issue in his second game with the Suns. After returning on February 19 against the San Antonio Spurs, Green played in all 24 games since then, but his recent injury raises concerns about his availability for the upcoming play-in tournament. In Wednesday’s game, Green recorded a rebound in four minutes of action before exiting, missing two shots. Goodwin, who has been a consistent performer for the Suns, suffered a left ankle injury that forced him to the locker room. The 23-year-old has played in 70 of the Suns’ 80 games this season, missing time due to a calf injury.#phoenix_suns #jalen_green #dallas_mavericks #jordan_goodwin #play_in_tournament
Stephen Curry to Return to Full Team Practices as Warriors Target Play-In Tournament Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors’ star guard, is set to resume full team practices in the coming days as he continues his recovery from a right knee injury. The 38-year-old player, who has been sidelined since January 30, will undergo another evaluation next week to determine his readiness for the team’s upcoming games. His potential return could be crucial for the Warriors, who are currently in a tight race for a play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference. Curry’s absence has had a significant impact on the team’s performance. Golden State is 23-16 when he plays this season and 10-21 when he is sidelined. During his current absence, the team has struggled, posting a 6-14 record. The Warriors are currently 10th in the Western Conference with a 33-37 record, leaving them in a precarious position for playoff contention. If cleared in time, Curry could be available for Wednesday’s home game against the Brooklyn Nets, potentially giving the team a boost in the final stretch of the regular season. Curry’s injury, diagnosed as patella-femoral pain syndrome with associated bone bruising, has kept him out of action for 21 consecutive games. The Warriors have been cautious in his rehabilitation, prioritizing his long-term health over an immediate return. While the team initially hoped for his return after the All-Star break, Curry opted to sit out the event this year, focusing instead on his recovery. The Warriors’ coaching staff has expressed confidence in Curry’s progress, noting that he has been participating in individual on-court training sessions recently.#golden_state_warriors #stephen_curry #moses_moody #play_in_tournament #western_conference
Warriors Coach Kerr: Stephen Curry May Play in Play-In Tournament if Healthy Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Stephen Curry could participate in the play-in tournament if his right knee remains healthy, dismissing concerns that the team would sit their star player without a guaranteed playoff spot. Kerr made the remarks following the Warriors’ 137-131 overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. Curry’s availability hinges on his recovery from a lingering knee injury, which has kept him sidelined since January 30. Kerr explained that Curry’s delayed return to practice was part of his rehabilitation process, with medical staff pushing back the schedule by a day or two. The Warriors are set to conclude their six-game road trip against the Mavericks, after which they will assess Curry’s readiness for the upcoming games. “It’s all just part of the rehab and all the different testing he does,” Kerr said. The Warriors currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference, and a playoff berth would require them to win two road games in the play-in tournament. Curry’s absence has significantly impacted the team’s performance, as Golden State is 23-16 with him in the lineup and 11-22 without him. The 38-year-old forward leads the team in scoring at 27.2 points per game, but his latest injury has led to a 2-8 stretch, dropping the Warriors to 7-15 since his return to action. Kerr emphasized that the team is already in the play-in scenario regardless of Curry’s status. “We’re not chasing a play-in berth. We are squarely in the play-in no matter what we do,” he said. “Bottom line, if Steph is healthy, he’s going to play because that’s what we’re here for. The chance to get into the playoffs is a big deal for us, big deal for Steph.#dallas_mavericks #golden_state_warriors #steve_kerr #stephen_curry #play_in_tournament
Aaron Gordon’s injury status has become a pivotal question for the Denver Nuggets’ season. With the team struggling and key players sidelined, coach David Adelman has hinted that a play-in tournament berth might be the best-case scenario if Gordon remains unavailable. The Nuggets’ recent 10-10 record in their last 20 games underscores the team’s reliance on Gordon, whose absence has left them 22-18 without him. Gordon’s hamstring injuries have plagued him all season, forcing him to miss 40 games and leaving only 19 remaining. His return is seen as critical to the Nuggets’ playoff hopes, as the team has struggled to find cohesion without him. When Gordon has played, the Nuggets have posted a strong 17-6 record, highlighting his role as a versatile defender and offensive threat. His ability to guard multiple positions and create opportunities for Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. has been instrumental in the team’s success. Despite his importance, Gordon’s health remains uncertain. He has dealt with six soft-tissue injuries over the past two seasons, and he attributes some of his setbacks to unresolved grief over his brother’s passing. While recent practice sessions showed promise, his absence for Thursday’s game served as a reminder of the fragility of his recovery. Adelman acknowledged the delicate balance between keeping Gordon healthy enough for the postseason and ensuring the team can compete in the play-in tournament. The Nuggets’ situation is dire. With a tough schedule remaining, they face an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot. Even if Gordon returns, the team’s depth is limited, and they’ll need to rely on players like Peyton Watson, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson to step up.#denver_nuggets #nikola_jokic #david_adelman #aaron_gordon #play_in_tournament
