The Orlando Magic will look to close the Detroit Pistons out in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday, and Paolo Banchero understands the magnitude of the moment.

"It's exciting," Banchero said after Wednesday’s shoot around. "This is what everybody's worked for. We just have to go out and take advantage of the opportunity."

The Magic are in the driver's seat with a commanding 3-1 lead. However, they may be without a key player, as Franz Wagner has been listed as questionable after suffering a right calf strain during Orlando's 94-88 Game 4 win.

Banchero knows the seriousness and delicate nature of calf strains, which is why he believes Wagner should not play.

"I don't think we expected Franz to play," Banchero said. Calf strain, you don't want to mess around with that. I don't think that would be very smart. We just have to come out and next man up. We've had some guys come off the bench, play well, defend at a high level. Those guys just have to step up and get ready to go. 

Obviously, we want Franz to be healthy," Banchero added. "That's the most important thing. I'm confident we've got guys that can step up. Obviously, he's one of our best players. You're not going to make up for everything you're losing with him out. We've got guys that can fill that role and other guys that can step up as well."

Wagner missed significant time during the regular season with a recurring left ankle injury, and it has compelled the Magic to get accustomed to playing without him.

"He was in and out this year, but you can't sit here and dwell on it," Banchero said. "You've got to just move on. Next man up, you've got to be ready. Still understand the task at hand, which is to come in here, execute good enough to get a win."

If Wagner does not suit up, the onus, and the opportunity, will fall on other players such as Jamal Cain, Tristan da Silva and more to step up for the team.

"It gives other guys an opportunity who may have not been playing as much," Banchero said. "Someone's going to start in his place, and then there's going to be guys off the bench who are going to have to come in and play big minutes as well.

"It just makes everybody have to focus," Banchero added. "Obviously, being down one of your best players on both sides of the ball, you're going to have to make up for that. I think guys are ready for it. We hate to see them go down, but we still have a goal here, which is to win this game and move on."

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