NBA: Sans Franz Wagner, Magic take on Heat in NBA Cup quarters

The Orlando Magic will be without their leading scorer, Franz Wagner, when they host the Miami Heat in an NBA Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday. Wagner’s absence could be extended, raising concerns for the Magic.

Wagner, who averages 22.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 36% from three-point range, suffered a left high ankle sprain in the first quarter of Sunday’s 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks. He landed awkwardly after attempting to finish an alley-oop pass from teammate Anthony Black.

An MRI on Monday confirmed the sprain, with ESPN reporting that Wagner could be sidelined for two to four weeks.

“That hurt my heart watching him hit the floor,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “I’m just praying everything is going to be OK with him. You just don’t like to see that happen to anyone, especially Wagner, who does everything the right way at all times he’s on the floor.”

Orlando has won 10 of its last 14 games but struggled to keep pace with New York after Wagner’s early exit. Jalen Suggs led the team with 17 points, while Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero added 16 points each. The Magic shot just 28.6% (12 of 42) from beyond the arc.

“That’s part of when you say it’s a make-or-miss league,” Mosley added. “You have to give yourself a chance. To hold them to 106 and rely on our defense, that’s something we have to continue to hang our hat on. But again, when you step on the floor and step into your shot, you’ve got to do it with confidence.”

The Magic have already edged out the Heat in their previous two meetings this season, including a narrow 106-105 home victory last Friday.

Miami, meanwhile, is searching for answers after dropping three straight games for the first time this season. The Heat fell behind by as many as 28 points in a 127-111 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.

“It was not one of our finer games, but we’ll regroup,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I want our guys to get as much rest as possible. We have a practice day on Monday, which is good. We need to get back in the gym, fine-tune some things, and get ready for Tuesday.”

Spoelstra is monitoring the status of Tyler Herro (right big toe contusion), Davion Mitchell (right groin tightness), and Pelle Larsson (right hip flexor tightness), all listed as questionable for Tuesday’s matchup.

After playing three games in four days, Miami welcomed two days off ahead of the quarterfinal. With Herro and Mitchell sidelined against Sacramento, the Heat used their 10th different starting lineup in 24 games.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. led Miami with 27 points against the Kings, followed by Simone Fontecchio with 20 and Norman Powell with 18. Powell said the team will use the break to recover and prepare for Orlando.

“We’re going to tighten some things up and let our bodies rest and recover,” Powell said. “Come back Monday, watch some film, see how we can get better, and then get ready for Orlando again.” -Field Level Media/Reuters Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images