Wagner’s Ankle Injury Sidelines Orlando Magic Forward After Premature Return
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner continues to recover from a left ankle sprain, an injury exacerbated by an early return to play following a six-week absence. the setback has kept the German international out of the Magic’s recent contests, including a game against the Miami Heat earlier this week.
Wagner initially suffered a severe left ankle sprain in early December. He attempted a return to the court for the NBA Europe games in his hometown of Berlin, hoping to play in front of a home crowd, but ultimately realized he wasn’t fully recovered. This premature attempt to rejoin the lineup appears to have hindered his progress and led to the current setback.
“Of course I really wanted to play in Berlin. But I probably wasn’t ready for it yet,” Wagner admitted,expressing his disappointment. Wagner last played in two games against the Memphis Grizzlies in mid-December, and has as missed the Magic’s last three games. Despite the ongoing recovery process, Wagner remains optimistic, stating, “Everything is fine, it’s getting better every day.”
However, Wagner also acknowledged he is not yet at the level required for consistent play. “I’m definitely not where I wont to be to be able to play again and play consistently,” he conceded before the game against the Miami Heat. The Magic are currently monitoring Wagner’s recovery closely, and have not provided a specific timeline for his return to the court.The team declined to offer any further comment beyond Wagner’s statements.
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