Orlando Magic basketball player Mo Wagner Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury
Orlando Magic basketball player Mo Wagner Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury
The Orlando Magic experienced a significant setback in their season and playoff aspirations as they revealed on Sunday that backup center Mo Wagner will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury.
Standing at 6-foot-11, Wagner, the elder sibling of standout forward Franz Wagner, is contributing 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds to the Magic's current 18-12 record, securing the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference.
John Hollinger of The Athletic voiced his sympathies on social media, stating that the Magic have until January 15 to apply for a disabled player exception, worth $5.5 million.
Wagner sustained the knee injury during the first quarter of the team's 121-114 triumph over the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
Making $11 million in the current season, and holding an option to earn the same amount in the following year, Wagner, like his brother, also honed his skills at Michigan.
This misfortune adds to the Magic's growing list of challenges, as they continue to operate without the presence of star forwards Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, both grappling with oblique injuries.
Currently, Franz Wagner is anticipated to be out for an extended period, having established himself as a standout in Banchero's absence. His impressive statistics include 24.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds. Since December 6, he has not graced the court.
Banchero, on the other hand, sustained his injury during the fourth quarter of the Magic's 102-99 loss to the Bulls on October 30. In a statement last month, he expressed optimism about possibly returning before Christmas.
The Orlando Magic's financial implications from Mo Wagner's injury could be significant, considering his salary of $11 million this season and an option for the same amount next year.
Given Wagner's contribution to the team's success and his potential loss, the Magic's sports business strategy might need to adapt to overcome this setback.