The Orlando Magic have received unfortunate news as center Moritz Wagner will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL in his left knee. This revelation comes just one day after the team celebrated a remarkable victory, rising from a 22-point deficit to defeat the Miami Heat.
After undergoing an MRI on Sunday, it was confirmed that Wagner has sustained the injury, necessitating surgery followed by several months of recovery. The injury occurred during the Magic’s 121-114 victory over Miami, where they made an impressive comeback from what at one point was a 25-point deficit, matching a franchise record for a comeback.
Wagner’s ailment adds to the growing list of serious injuries that have plagued the Magic this season. They have been missing All-Star forward Paolo Banchero, who has been sidelined for 25 of the team’s 30 games due to a torn oblique muscle. Additionally, forward Franz Wagner, Moritz’s brother, who was a potential All-Star this season, has also been out for the last five games because of a similar injury.
While Banchero is close to returning, Wagner is expected to be out for several additional weeks. Despite these setbacks, the Magic have managed to secure an 18-12 record, positioning themselves fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.
The injury to Moritz Wagner occurred with just 2:33 remaining in the first quarter against the Heat. In a non-contact situation, he attempted to halt his momentum while driving toward the basket, which caused his left knee to buckle, leading him to fall and clutch his knee in pain briefly.
During the game, the Magic found themselves down by 25 points in the second quarter and were still trailing 22 points heading into the final quarter. Remarkably, they stormed back, outscoring Miami 37-8 in the fourth quarter for a stunning comeback win. This success marks the seventh-largest comeback in NBA history for a team starting the fourth quarter at such a deficit, achieved while missing key players, including the Banchero brothers, point guard Jalen Suggs, and backup guard Gary Harris.
After the dramatic win, an emotional Magic coach Jamahl Mosley shared how the team rallied around Moritz’s situation, saying, “We talked about making sure that we’re lifting our brother up in Moe Wagner. That was a big portion of it. But again, it’s a group that just continues to fight and they continue to scrap. They continue to go no matter what’s happening.”
Wagner had been a reliable presence for the Magic, having participated in all 30 games this season alongside point guard Anthony Black. He was enjoying a standout season, averaging 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play per game. In addition to his contributions in the NBA, Moritz Wagner has represented Germany in the last two Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris, and, along with his brother, played a key role in helping Germany secure the Basketball World Cup title in Manila in 2023.