Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner send emotional message to injured $22,000,000 Magic star after snapping 5-game losing streak

The Orlando Magic have been plagued by injuries throughout this season. One of their biggest injury casualties is backup center Mowitz Wagner, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in their game against the Miami Heat in December.

Wagner has already undergone a successful surgery, ruling him out for the 2024-2025 season and hurting the Magic’s frontcourt rotation.

Magic’s biggest stars, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, had an emotional message for him, dedicating their 121-113 win against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, which snapped their five-game slide.

“We miss you, man. I know you’re back at the crib, in that same spot on the couch,” Franz told his brother after the game.

“Love you big fella,” Banchero added.

Mo Wagner played 30 games this season after he signed a two-year extension with the Magic for $11 million per year in the last offseason. He averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in 18.8 minutes this year.

The Magic is 24-23 this season, occupying the seventh seed in the closely contested Eastern Conference standings.

The win over the Pistons featured Orlando's fully healthy starting lineup for the first time since the start of the season in October. Numerous injuries, from point guard Jalen Suggs to Banchero and Wagner, have derailed the team to start the year.

The Magic are 3-8 in their previous 11 outings, causing them to slide down the standings in the last two weeks.

They are expected to rebound from their slump before the NBA All-Star weekend as they will face struggling teams such as the Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz in the coming week with an intact starting lineup.

Orlando Magic’s coach lauds players’ recovery to bounce back quickly in the regular season

Due to various injuries, Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has adjusted a lot in his rotations for most of the first half of the regular season. As his players recover and return to action, Mosley expects the team to continue being back to form methodically.

Talking after the Magic’s loss to the Trail Blazers on Thursday, Mosley eagerly awaits a fully healthy lineup in the coming games to help the team reach its potential.

“I think it’s gigantic…We talk about the pieces coming back together, us being whole again, slowly but surely,” he said.

Franz Wagner returned to the lineup against the Trail Blazers after missing the previous 20 games due to a torn right oblique. His return gives the Magic a massive boost in leadership, according to Mosley.

“With all the standards he has set as a leader, having him back is going to be big,” he said.

The Magic take on the Heat on Monday.