Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner touched on several topics before his team hosts the Golden State Warriors Tuesday.
Despite falling in overtime to the Houston Rockets on Sunday, Magic forward Franz Wagner is happy with much of his team's performance.
“I thought we played really well,” said Wagner after the Magic’s Tuesday shoot around. “I thought we played together, we were connected. Obviously didn't finish the game we wanted to. I think it was just not necessarily one thing.”
“Obviously offensive rebounds stand out, but they're really good on that in every game. But I think what we should take away is that if we play with that effort, that physicality, that focus for the remainder of the games, I think we'll be in good shape.”
All-Star forward Paolo Banchero has missed two games after suffering a left groin strain in Orlando’s 124-107 win over the New York Knicks on Nov. 12. In his absence, Wagner has taken over as the Magic’s scoring leader.
Like the rest of his team, Wagner is trying to stay process-driven instead of letting the results of games solely dictate how he feels.
“Yeah, I think it's important. I think in the long season, you can get caught up in stuff that you can't always control. So, I think that mindset helps with that a little bit.”
“But obviously, we also do want to get wins. But trusting that mentality will, in the long term, pay out in a better way than just focusing on every single win or loss.”
He also believes that the Magic are playing to their standard more consistently.
“I thought we made some really good steps the last week, or even some of the games before. And it's still early in the season. So yeah, just keep finding ways to get better and improve. And knowing that it's not just going to be great every day and playing through those mistakes as well.”
Wagner also provided an update on his brother and Magic center, Moe Wagner, as he continues his recovery from an ACL tear he suffered last December.
“I think he's in a good spot. I think his knee is progressing the last couple of weeks like he wants to. I think he's been through a lot of stages in the rehab process, also weeks and months where he probably wasn't in the best mood every day.”
“And I understand that that's part of it as well. But I think he's handled the whole rehab process really well.”
The Magic will have quite a test on Tuesday as they host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, who are hunting for their fourth-straight road win. Wagner understands the challenges the Warriors present and how Orlando will have to remain cognizant of them.
“Steph moving the whole team, honestly, moving around so much,” Wagner said. “You've got to be locked in for the whole possession. And they move the ball really well; they move bodies really well and obviously shoot really well, especially in their wins. So, it is not an easy team to defend and a lot different for sure than Houston and a lot of other teams as well in the league. I think that’ll be a big challenge.”