Magic forward Franz Wagner isn’t on the injury report for the team’s game against the Grizzlies on Thursday in Berlin and will be available to make his return from a high ankle sprain, tweets Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel.
Wagner injured his left ankle in a December 7 matchup with New York and has missed Orlando’s past 16 games as a result of the injury. In 23 full games prior to Dec. 7, he had averaged 23.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 34.5 minutes per night, with a .487/.354/.823 shooting line.
The timing of Wagner’s return is especially meaningful since he and his brother – and Magic teammate – Moritz Wagner were born in Berlin. Thursday’s game represents the first time the NBA has played a regular season game in Germany, and the Wagner brothers have appreciated getting the opportunity to show off their hometown to teammates this week, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Fans in Berlin will get the chance to see both Wagners in action on Thursday, as Moritz made his long-awaited return from an ACL tear on Sunday. Thursday’s game will be just his second outing since he suffered that injury in December of 2024.
“It felt awesome,” the big man said after Sunday’s contest, according to Beede. “When you work so hard behind the scenes and you get to see the fans, you get to see the game live but you’re really not participating, to be able to engage after such a long time, it’s really cool and very fulfilling.”
The Magic have dealt with a series of injuries affecting key players during the first half of the season, but have managed to hold onto a top-six spot in the Eastern Conference with a 22-18 record.
Even with the Wagner brothers both back on the court, Orlando isn’t quite at full strength. Guard Jalen Suggs will miss a sixth consecutive game on Thursday due to a right knee MCL contusion.
both german boys miraculously return for the berlin game. shocker
Idk if “miraculous” is the right word considering Mo took 13 months on his 12-month ACL recovery, and Franz took 5 weeks on a 4 week timetable.
Trying to rush back to play in this game could bite him long term
NOT playing the game would also personally affect him for the rest of his life.
The vast majority of people reading this would make the same choice.
I thought he tore something like an acl against the Knicks.
Good for the Wagner Brothers to play in front of their people. I don’t think Franz will play too much (Maybe 10 to 12 minutes), it will be enough to make lots of German fans really happy. Just the fact that both of them are going to be in uniform it will be awesome for people that are going to the game.