The Orlando Magic are finally getting their health back, but everyone is going to have to remain ready.
ORLANDO — After winning three games in a four-game homestand ahead of the All-Star break, the Orlando Magic gained some much-needed momentum in terms of getting ahead in the win column and getting a key player like Franz Wagner back on the floor.
After the All-Star weekend, the Magic are going to need every bit of it.
Orlando will kick off a four-game West Coast road on Feb. 19 against the Sacramento Kings that is followed by matchups with the Phoenix Suns and both the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers. The month of March will not be any easier and, while the Magic are healthy now, coach Jamahl Mosley knows that everyone on the roster will need to remain ready in case their number is called.
“Our march is very busy, and we have basically 17 games in 31 days,” Mosley said after Wednesday’s 116-108 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. “We've got three, four back-to-backs.
So, guys are going to stay ready. Those guys are going to play 48 minutes a night. So, we've got to understand that whoever's number is called, when it's called, they've got to be ready.”
Given the injuries Orlando has endured up and down its roster, players such as Goga Bitadze and rookies Jase Richardson and Noah Penda have been called on for support. Bitadze has appeared in 42 games with an average of 16 minutes per contest, while Richardson and Penda have appeared in 39 games (12.1 MPG) and 38 games (13.9 MPG) respectively.
After trading Tyus Jones to the Charlotte Hornets ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, the Magic brought in additional help by signing veteran guard Jevon Carter. Carter has not played yet for Orlando but he could have his number called sooner than later.
“I know those guys have always kept themselves ready, and they will be on the back end,” Mosley added.
After returning to the lineup for Monday’s game against the Bucks and subsequently delivering a productive performance in his first career game off the bench, Wagner struggled during Wednesday's loss in the same role; scoring just five points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field. But after missing most of the last two months with a left ankle injury, Mosley realizes it will take him time to return to form.
“Yeah, I think for a guy that's coming back off of injury, you know, missing so many games and trying to find that rhythm, I think that's a big key of what we're going to continue to see,” Mosley said. “You know, I think the break is good for all of us to be able to reset, get our minds in the right space, and then get our physical bodies right.”