Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley discussed what it means to be without forward Franz Wagner as he struggles with another injury.
ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic are set to host the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday in what will be their first home game in nearly two weeks.
The Magic are coming off a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in London, England, while the Hornets are on the second night of a back-to-back after falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers at home on Wednesday. Orlando will be without forward Franz Wagner, who is dealing with left ankle soreness.
Before the game, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley talked about the difficulty of being without Wagner, who has played in just two games after missing 16 with a high sprain in the same ankle.
“I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard as heck to deal with,” Mosley said. “But he came up really, really, really sore after shoot around. And we've got to obviously look at the long-term view for how we're dealing with our guys. And he's one of those guys that we have to continue to look at in that situation.”
Wagner has appeared in 26 games and leads the Magic with 22.2 points per game.
Without Wagner, Mosley and the coaching staff once again have to emphasize the next man up mentality.
“Well, you got to tell them once we get in that locker room. It's part of the next man up mentality. Guys know what role they need to step into when their number's called. And we've got to make sure that we're doing it right by each guy that steps on the floor and they're ready to go.”
After overcoming a 20-point deficit to beat the Grizzlies in Berlin, Germany, on Jan. 15, Orlando faced a 33-point deficit in the rematch against Memphis in London. The hole would be too deep to crawl out of, and it would result in a 126-109 loss. A similar outcome occured the last time the Magic hosted the Hornets and lost, 120-105, the day after Christmas.
Coming into Thursday’s game, Mosley realizes the team needs to get off to a better start.
“I just think it's just a heightened awareness of what we need to do to start a game,” he said. “You can't ease yourself into it. It was those two Memphis games particularly, as well as last time we played this team, that happened.”
“And so, our ability to know exactly what we need to do, it can't be about the shot making or missing. from the defensive end. So, our mindset goes into; we get stops to get out and run, and that's what we have to focus in on, too.”
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