Moritz Wagner injury overshadows remarkable comeback for Orlando

Moritz Wagner (YouTube)

It was a memorable NBA game between the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat from Orlando’s Kia Center on Saturday. There was a significant injury and a remarkable comeback in the same game. As a result, the Magic beat the Heat 121-114.

First, let us get to the injury. Magic center Moritz Wagner of Berlin, Germany tore his anterior cruciate ligament and is out for the rest of the season according to Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report. Wagner’s brother Franz Wagner is also out of the Magic lineup with a torn oblique. The Orlando injuries do not stop there. Paolo Banchero also has a torn oblique, and former first round draft pick Jalen Suggs is currently out with an ankle injury.

In 2024-25, Moritz Wagner was averaging career highs in points per game (12.5), and three point percentage (.360). He also had 4.9 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, a field goal percentage of .562 and a free throw percentage of .718. These statistics were impressive because they came as a reserve.

The fact that four significant Magic players are injured and the team is six games above .500 at 18 wins and 12 losses is quite simply mind boggling. On Saturday, what the Magic did was even more impressive. They came back from a 25 point deficit. It was the second biggest comeback of the season. Orlando was once down 70-45 with two minutes and 32 seconds left in the first half before outscoring the Heat 76-44. Orlando’s win was simply magical.

Four Magic players reached double digits in scoring. Point guard Cole Anthony of Portland, Oregon had 35 points off the bench to lead the team in points. Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of Thomaston, Georgia (the state) had 24 points, center Goga Bitadze of Sagarejo, Georgia (the country) had 18 points, and point guard Anthony Black of Duncanville, Texas had 10 points. Bitadze had the double double as he had 13 rebounds too.

The biggest comeback in 2024-25 was 26 points. On November 4, the Los Angeles Clippers beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-104 after trailing 40-14.

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