Franz Wagner recently suffered a serious-looking injury to his left leg/knee during an Orlando Magic game against the New York Knicks and was ruled out for the rest of that game. He is expected to undergo imaging (such as an MRI) and be re‑evaluated in Orlando, so there is not yet a publicly confirmed long-term diagnosis or return timetable.
What happened in the game
During the first quarter against the Knicks, Wagner went up for a lob/fast- break alley‑oop and made contact with Knicks big man Ariel Hukporti. On landing, his left leg appeared to buckle, and he immediately grabbed the area around his left knee and had to be helped from the court, unable to return to the game.
Current status and next steps
The Magic announced that he sustained a lower left leg injury, was out for the remainder of that game, and will be re‑evaluated after the team returns to Orlando, including further medical tests. As of the latest updates, he is not expected to play in the upcoming NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Miami Heat, and no official timeline for his return has been set.
Impact on the Magic
Wagner is Orlando’s leading scorer this season, averaging around 23 points, 6 rebounds, and nearly 4 assists per game, making his potential absence a major blow to the team’s playoff and NBA Cup hopes. Other key players like Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane will likely have to take on a larger offensive role while the team waits for clarity on Wagner’s injury and recovery outlook.
