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[Saba Sports News] One of the NBA’s brightest young talents will be sidelined until next year.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported Saturday that Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner suffered a torn right oblique muscle during Friday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Wagner is out indefinitely and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
The 23-year-old, drafted eighth overall, has had a breakout season for the Magic, posting career-high averages of 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
His stellar play had put him in All-Star contention and helped propel the Magic to a strong 16-9 record, currently third in the Eastern Conference.
Wagner’s absence, expected to last until at least early January, is a major setback for Orlando. The Magic are already without star forward Paolo Banchero, who has been out since late October with a similar injury.
Now, both young standouts will be sidelined, dealing a significant blow to the team’s momentum.