ORLANDO — After coming off a 115-111 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, the Orlando Magic will host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday for the second night of their back-to-back inside the Kia Center, and they will welcome back forward Franz Wagner.

Wagner has not played since Feb. 11 and has only appeared in 28 games this season due to a left ankle injury. Before the game, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley met with the media and discussed the impact of Wagner’s return.

“I think it's big,” Mosley said. “You know, his ability to guard multiple positions, you know, the battle he's been through to get back on the court and all those things. I mean, that really means a ton to us tonight.”

Wagner originally suffered a high sprain in his left ankle in a Dec. 7 game against the New York Knicks. Since then, he has tried to come back from the injury twice, only to be sidelined each time after appearing in a pair of games in each stint.

For Mosley and the coaching staff, it is imperative to manage Wagner’s return properly.

“Be smart about it,” Mosley said. “Very diligent in how we go about his minutes and how we play him.”

This season, Wagner is averaging 21.3 points on 47.9% shooting from the field and 36.5% shooting from the perimeter. It has been an uphill battle for the Magic in terms of injuries, and Mosley emphasized the importance of having a healthy unit.

“Yeah, I think it's great to have our whole group back together, you know, slowly but surely,” Mosley said. “I mean, throughout the year, it's been some in, some out, you know. 

“You know, being able to get healthy bodies back is big for our group, the energy that they provide and also offensively and defensively what they're capable of doing. So, our guys know, you know, what we can do at full strength.”

Mosley also praised Wagner’s mental fortitude throughout the process of returning from the injury.

“Franz has been a pro since the day he walked in this building,” Mosley said. “Does it get to him? Sure, you know, that gets to anybody. But at the end of the day, he's always carried himself in such a manner that he's going to do his work to get himself back on the court.

“He's going to communicate at a high level," Mosley added. "He's going to work his tail off. And then, you know, if he sees something that he likes, he'll talk about it. If he sees something that he doesn't like, he'll talk about it. But that's the professional that he is and the way he approaches his body of work and life.”

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