Is Franz Wagner Playing vs Blazers? Magic Release Full Injury Report

Will the young small forward suit up for the first time in 20 games?

Apr 1, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) and guard Dalano Banton (5) during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

After missing the last 20 games with a torn right oblique, rising star Orlando Magic small forward Franz Wagner will make his return to action against one of the NBA's worst teams by record, the 15-28 Portland Trail Blazers, on Thursday night.

Franz Wagner will play tonight vs. Portland. pic.twitter.com/Siwt62ltb3

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 23, 2025

Trail Blazers starting center Deandre Ayton's status remains up in the air, unfortunately. The 6-foot-11 big man is questionable to play through what is officially being described as left knee soreness.

Two other Portland starters, forward Toumani Camara (illness) and point guard Anfernee Simons (low back soreness), are also questionable to play.

INJURY REPORT 1/23 @ ORL:

OUT
Donovan Clingan (L Ankle Sprain)
Matisse Thybulle (R Ankle Sprain)

QUESTIONABLE
Deandre Ayton (L Knee Soreness)
Toumani Camara (Illness)
Kris Murray (Chest Contusion)
Anfernee Simons (Low Back Soreness)

— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) January 22, 2025

More Trail Blazers: Deandre Ayton Injury Status for Blazers vs Magic

Wagner's comeback is much needed for an ailing Orlando club, which could still miss several key rotation players against Portland.

According to the NBA's latest injury report, shooting guard Gary Harris (left hamstring strain), center Goga Bitadze (concussion protocol), and starting All-Defensive Team point guard Jalen Suggs (low back strain) are all sidelined for the Magic. Wagner's big brother Moritz is done for the year after tearing the ACL in his left knee.

Two-way guard Mac McClung is away from Orlando, and will put in reps with the team's G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic.

Wing Jett Howard (left ankle sprain) and power forward/center Jonathan Isaac (illness) will both play.

More Trail Blazers: Trail Blazers' Current Season Trajectory Sets Them Up for Massive Failure Down the Line

As of this writing, the status of only one standard roster Magic player, reserve point guard Cole Anthony, is up in the air. Suggs' primary backup is questionable to play through an illness.

Orlando was looking to be in the running for a top-3 seed in the Eastern Conference early in the season, before both Wagner and All-Star power forward Paolo Banchero incurred oblique injuries and missed multiple months. Now, the Magic are 23-22 on the year after losing four straight, and have plummeted to the East's No. 7 seed.

Across his 25 healthy games for the Magic thus far this season, the 6-foot-10 swingman out of Berlin had been averaging 24.4 points on .465/.321/.881 shooting splits, 5.7 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 0.5 blocks a night.

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