Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) sprained his left ankle against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday but will be available for tonight's home gave vs. the Portland Trail Blazers. (Scott Kinser, AP)
Despite spraining his ankle two nights ago, Franz Wagner was available for the Orlando Magic’s Sunday evening home game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers at Amway Center.
Wagner awkwardly fell and rolled his left ankle midway through the second quarter of Friday’s road win over the Charlotte Hornets after JT Thor nudged him while Wagner was trying to receive a low pass from guard Jalen Suggs.
He got up and limped back to the locker room before being ruled out later in the game because of a sprained ankle.
X-rays on the ankle were negative, meaning no damage was shown.
Wagner has missed just three games because of injury since being the No. 8 pick in the 2021 draft, all of which came last year because of a sprained right ankle.
The lone game he sat for this season was because of the suspensions multiple players were given after the Dec. 28 altercation between the Magic and Pistons in Detroit.
Starting guard Gary Harris (sore left adductor) and big man Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip pain) weren’t available.
Harris’s status was questionable entering the matchup. Second-year guard Jalen Suggs started in his place alongside Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Moe Wagner.
“Being out for so many games, him coming back and getting acclimated to what we’re doing, he’s been great,” coach Jamahl Mosley said pregame. “Defensively, first and foremost, the moment he steps in the game he makes an immediate impact.”
Moe Wagner started in place of Carter, who was ruled out a little over an hour before tipoff.
Sunday kicked off a four-game homestand, with matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks (Tuesday), Utah Jazz (Thursday) and Miami Heat (Saturday) ahead.
“It’s great,” Mosley said of the homestand. “Getting back to that routine. Being able to get some practices under our belt, these guys continue to get better and grow with one another.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Originally published at Tribune News Service