“He took a hit in the last match, but he’s doing well.” Jamahl Mosley did not avoid the problem encountered by one of its major players. Hit in the elbow during the match against Jazz on Thursday, Franz Wagner was forced to wear a padded compression sleeve this weekend. The objective was to protect him from a possible new blow that could increase the pain, but above all to allow him to continue playing!
After wearing it for the first time on Saturday in training, the German winger took the plunge the next day against Detroit. The result was more than satisfactory since in addition to having been rather efficient (13 points and 8 rebounds in 29 minutes for a 113-91 victory for the Magic), Franz Wagner did not feel any particular pain or discomfort.
“It's a little sensitive but it doesn't really bother me, honestly, when I'm playing. So it's not much.” did he declare. “I put the sleeve on to protect my elbow a little so I could continue playing. But it is okay. It's clear that it's a little different than usual, but not too much, honestly. I didn’t really think about it during the match.”
Training on mission
Something to reassure everyone before starting a three-match “road trip” for which Franz Wagner should be available. At this time of year, Orlando needs Franz Wagner more than ever to stay in the race for the Top 6 in the East, while the battle rages and the Knicks, currently fourth, will present themselves on the road to the Florida franchise Friday evening.
At the beginning of January, when Franz Wagner had to treat his ankle, the Magic had lost five games out of eight. Two months later, Orlando can no longer afford such a gap with a participation in the playoffs in its sights after three years of drought, and 14 years without having won a single series in the postseason…
“The teams that are going to make the playoffs are the ones that are going to stay focused, be in the moment and the ones that are going to continue to improve as the season progresses. We must have this approach,” he added.
As a reminder, Franz Wagner is the second best scorer, third best rebounder and second best passer on Jamahl Mosley's team. He was also named for the Eastern Player of the Month award after posting 21.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 12 games in February.
| Franz Wagner | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | ENT | 79 | 31 | 46.8 | 35.4 | 86.3 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 15.2 |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 80 | 33 | 48.5 | 36.1 | 84.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 18.6 |
| 2023-24 | ENT | 53 | 33 | 48.2 | 30.7 | 85.0 | 1.0 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 20.5 |
| Total | 212 | 32 | 47.8 | 34.3 | 85.0 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 17.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
