The Orlando Magic have a difficult history when it comes to keeping Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner simultaneously healthy, but Jeff Teague does not see it as a glaring issue.
Once again, the Orlando Magic are without one of their two best players after Franz Wagner suffered a high ankle sprain against the New York Knicks on Sunday.
The diagnosis comes as a sigh of relief for Wagner and the Magic, but he will still miss two to four weeks as a result. However, former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague believes Orlando may be better off as Paolo Banchero — who recently returned from a 10-game absence due to a left groin strain — becomes the focal point of the offense.
“They always play better without one,” Teague said on the Club 520 Podcast. “It’s just going to be for their benefit.”
It is a situation both Wagner and Banchero know all too well. With Banchero unavailable this season, Wagner took the reins of the offense and helped the Magic to a 7-3 record.
Wagner played well and became the team’s leading scorer with Banchero sidelined, but it was more than just his effort that led to the team’s success. Last season, Banchero and Wagner were both hurt with the same oblique tears. Their injury timelines did not completely overlap, and each of them had the onus of carrying the team without the other available.
Anthony Black became an incredibly productive sixth man, averaging 15.4 points over the 10-game stretch Banchero missed that included a career-high 31-point performance in a blowout win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 25. Tristan da Silva waselevated to the starting lineup in place of Banchero and made positive impacts as he continues to average 10 points.
Desmond Bane — the front office’s big offseason acquisition — is becoming the type of player Orlando hoped for after a difficult start to the season. He averaged 23.1 points without Banchero and had back-to-back 37-point games; the first player to accomplish the feat in a Magic uniform since Tracy McGrady in 2004.
It will not be easy without Wagner on the floor, but the Magic are not navigating unknown territory. More importantly, this is not the same team as last season. Banchero is back and will shake off the rust from missing multiple weeks, Bane has shown flashes of being a number two option, Anthony Black has grown and the Magic are playing by committee.
Coach Jamahl Mosley has instilled readiness, and willingness, into the culture and fabric of the roster to be ready at all times. It won’t be long before Wagner is back, and the Magic will just have to survive in the meantime.