Philip Rossman-Reich here, the host of the daily Locked On Magic podcast, with your daily Locked On Magic newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Magic and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Franz Wagner growing into his version of stardom
Nov 8, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives the ball past New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) in the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images|Nathan Ray Seebeck/Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Franz Wagner was hunting for the matchup he wanted throughout the entire game against the Washington Wizards.
That is partially a sign of respect for the man defending him in Bilal Coulibaly. The big, second-year forward has made impressive strides and is making a name for himself as a tough young defender stuck on a team without much of a defensive identity.
But Wagner could not shake him this time. The screen Goga Bitadze was setting did not create the tension the Magic hoped for. Wagner was one-on-one with the Wizards’ best defender.
Wagner was unafraid though. Coulibaly got his licks in on Wagner in this battle of two young future stars. But Wagner won more often. He exploded to the basket and finished at the rim, drawing a foul for good measure.
This was Wagner’s time. This was Wagner’s game This is Wagner’s team.
That is the reality with Paolo Banchero out for the Orlando Magic. They need their young Robin to lead this team of Teen Titans.
It has taken some time, but as this weekend’s games against the New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards proved, Wagner is getting more comfortable in the role. He is beginning to understand what his team needs and how he needs to set the tone for their success.
Wagner scored 23 points in Sunday’s win over the Wizards, shooting 9 for 20 from the floor and adding seven assists for good measure. That followed a 27-point, six-assist effort in the win over the Pelicans on Friday. And that followed a 28-point, eight-rebound, six-assist effort in the loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Wagner has scored at least 20 points in the last four games. And in each of those games, he did a lot of his work early in the game, setting the tone with his aggression.
Since Banchero’s injury, Wagner is averaging 25.0 points per game and 5.3 assists per game. He is shooting 46.2 percent on 19.5 field goal attempts per game.
This is not the same Wagner who fans often feel is fading into the background and not getting enough touches or shots. This is a completely different player.
The Magic need everything they can get from him at this point. Orlando has precious few players who can create and put pressure on opposing defenses. Wagner will have the ball in his hands a lot. He is directing traffic and creating this initial tension.
He does not do it in the same way that a player like Banchero does. Wagner needs the help of a screener and he is not going to bully his way to the basket. But his impact and the Magic’s need for him to create is still the same. In Banchero’s absence, they needed Wagner to ascend to the starring role.
If the Magic are going to learn anything during this period without Banchero on the floor, it is whether Wagner can take on this role. It will make him better prepared to support and play alongside Banchero when he returns.
For now, Wagner is thriving in this role. He has learned to be more aggressive and assert control over the games. He understands now that the team will follow his energy and aggression.
There are more difficult challenges ahead – everyone can recognize the Pelicans and the Wizards are not the toughest competition. But the Magic need Wagner to lead the way right now. And so far he is stepping into this new role.
37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists. The first NBA player to reach these numbers in a game, and Nikola Jokic did it on a Sunday night in Denver, snowy pockets of flurries settling over the city. I wish I’d been collecting these stat lines all along, or had thought to make a note on the calendar when they happened. I’d like to see if there’s a pattern, though I’ve got a hunch that the dates would come to mean less than what the volume of them proves: in Jokic’s hands, the unprecedented becomes routine.
It starts with his skill, we know this. But let’s zero in on how he carries himself around the floor, how he moves. Jokic lopes, jogs, shuffles, occasionally bops, tends to move laterally more than he does in a direct line. It all serves to create an illusion that he’s slow and behind the pace. It’s why so many have a difficult time categorizing what it is he’s doing — he doesn’t work the way a basketball player does, tends to be the refrain. It’s because he looks, most of the time, relaxed
He can also appear pressed, like there’s someplace else he’d rather be. This is not the kind of approach we like to see from our stars. If they don’t look dialled in, if it doesn’t look strenuous at least some of the time, we tend to distrust their effort and skill. But Jokic’s arduousness is some of my favourite in the league, because it presents at our expense. And indeed, it must be exhausting to prove nearly every night that you can manipulate the game at every level.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Watch The Magic beat the Wizards 121-94. Couldn’t tune it?Watch the full game highlights.
Trade Could Payton Pritchard be heading to the Magic? Read more. (The Sporting News)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Basketball Managers
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Managers
Sunday’s NBA action took a concerning turn for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Chet Holmgren, their promising young centre, suffered a hip injury just five minutes into the game against the Golden State Warriors. This incident has left both the team and fantasy managers in a state of uncertainty, as Holmgren’s presence on the court has been pivotal.
The Impact of Holmgren’s Injury
Holmgren’s injury occurred during an attempt to contest a dunk, resulting in a hard fall that left him limping off the court. The Thunder have since reported it as a hip injury, but the full extent and severity remain unclear. Given Holmgren’s importance to the Thunder’s lineup, any absence could significantly impact their performance, especially considering their current lack of depth at the centre position.
Potential Replacements and Adjustments
In the wake of Holmgren’s injury, the Thunder may need to rely on a smaller lineup, as they did against the Warriors. This could mean increased minutes for players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, who might see more court time and opportunities to contribute. In deeper leagues, Ousmane Dieng could also be considered for a temporary boost, though none are likely to replicate Holmgren’s production. Fantasy managers might consider these short-term pickups, but it’s crucial to temper expectations, as the Thunder’s rotation could remain fluid.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
Franz Wagner’s stardom evolves as Orlando Magic’s offensive leader Franz Wagner is stepping up for the Orlando Magic, showcasing his evolving role as the primary offensive force with Paolo Banchero sidelined. Can Wagner’s aggressive play, highlighted by his 27-point performance, lead the Magic to success?
Orlando Magic’s Bench Woes + KCP’s Shooting Slump: Can they turn it around? The Orlando Magic are trying to match their stellar season from last year. But several key elements are not hitting their mark. The biggest drop-off has come from the bench where key players like Moe Wagner and Jonathan Isaac are underperforming.
Orlando Magic’s path to victory, but they are not ready to walk it Can the Orlando Magic end this losing streak? The team dropped its fifth straight game and went winless on this road trip. But the team is looking more optimistic.
