Franz Wagner status revealed, How To Watch Orlando Magic-Atlanta Hawks Lineups, Injury Report, Betting Lines & More

Barring a hiccup in warmups, Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner is expected to return to action for the first time since Feb. 11 as the Orlando Magic host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Wagner returned from soreness related to a high ankle sprain for two home games against the Milwaukee Bucks just before the All-Star break, looking rusty in averaging 9.5 points and 4.0 rebounds on 41 percent shooting. He looked rusty and lacked burst, probably shouldn’t have been back out there in my opinion, and has been on a regimen of rest and rehab since in an effort to be 100 percent for the playoffs.

For the season, Wagner is averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists, shooting just under 48 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from 3-point range. He’s played in only 28 games, starting 26, and didn’t start either of his last two games.

The Magic bounced back from suffering the most lopsided loss in franchise history in Toronto by making winning plays in a tight game down the stretch to defeat the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Desmond Bane’s late buckets aided a 115-111 conquest, but the Magic still have a lot of work to do after a dreadful end to March.

On the heels of a 139-87 loss to the Raptors, the Magic proved resilient in outlasting the Suns and enter April looking to at least clinch a .500 record by defeating the Southeast Division-leading Atlanta Hawks. Any hopes of winning the division for the third straight season hinge on a victory on this second night of a back-to-back since Orlando already trails by 2.5 games.

The Hawks arrive in town as the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, winners of 15 of 17 since Feb. 22 to go from four games under .500 to currently residing in the No. 5 spot, a half-game up on the Raptors and 1.5 games removed from the play-in tournament.

It remains to be seen if Wagner comes off the bench or faces a minutes restriction, although that appears likely since the Magic are likely to ease him back into the mix and have him ramp up towards normal usage in two weeks time when the postseason begins.

Orlando is currently the No. 8 seed in the East, a half-game up on the 9th-seeded Miami Heat and 10th-seeded Charlotte Hornets. The Magic finished March 9-8, registering their second consecutive winning month.

The Magic are 23-14 at home, 9-7 against Southeast Division opposition and 24-24 against Eastern Conference foes. The Hawks are 20-17 on the road, 8-6 within the division and 24-22 against East opponents.

Vitals - How to Watch Magic vs. Hawks

Game date, time and location: Wednesday, April 1, 7:10 p.m. EST, Kia Center, Orlando, Florida

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida (Magic), FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (Hawks)

Radio: FM 96.9 The Game/AM 740 WYGM (Magic), 92.9 FM “The Game” (Hawks)

Magic look to avoid being swept by Hawks for first time since ‘21

The Orlando Magic (40-35) host the Atlanta Hawks (43-33) in a game where the home team hopes to capture both ends of a back-to-back to try and claw their way back into the top-six following a crippling six-game losing streak from March 16-24 that sent the franchise into a tailspin.

The Hawks took advantage of Orlando’s demise by surging to the top of the division and own the tiebreaker in case the teams wind up with the same record, having won 111-107 (Oct. 24), 127-112 (Nov. 4) and 124-112 (March 16).

The Hawks won by four points early in the season behind clutch plays down the stretch from Trae Young, who has since been traded to the Washington Wizards. Young led Atlanta with 25 points, while Wagner paced Orlando with 27. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 41 points in a dominant performance just weeks ago in a win that wasn’t as close as the 12-point margin may indicate.

Atlanta has won four straight games in the series, part of a 20-5 run against the Magic dating back to March 2021. As a result, the Hawks now lead Orlando 77-65 in the all-time series dating back to 1989-90. The Hawks won eight of the first nine matchups between the teams.

Betting Lines (via DraftKings)

Spread: Hawks -2.5 (-105), Magic +2.5 (-115)

Moneyline: Hawks -135, Magic +114

Total: 234.5 (Over -110, Under -110)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

PROJECTED STARTERS

HAWKS

F/G Dyson Daniels

F Jalen Johnson

C Onyeka Okongwu

G CJ McCollum

G Nickeil Alexander-Walker

MAGIC

F Tristan da Silva

F Paolo Banchero

C Wendell Carter Jr.

G Jalen Suggs

G Desmond Bane

INJURY REPORT

MAGIC

Franz Wagner: Questionable - Left High Ankle Sprain Injury Management

Anthony Black: Out - Left Lateral Abdominal Strain

Jonathan Isaac: Out - Left Knee Sprain

Colin Castleton: Out - G League (Two-way)

Alex Morales: Out - G League (Two-way)

HAWKS

Jock Landale: Questionable - Left Foot Third Metatarsal Stress Reaction

RayJ Dennis: Questionable - G League (Two-way)

Keshon Gilbert: Questionable - G League (Two-way)