Orlando Magic center Moe Wagner talked about the unfortunate news regarding Franz Wagner's absence and preparation for the rest of the season.
The Orlando Magic on Wednesday released the grim news that forward Franz Wagner will be out indefinitely to rehabilitate his left ankle that has caused him trouble since suffering a high sprain in it on Dec. 7 against the New York Knicks. After the news dropped, several of Wagner’s teammates reacted, including his brother, center Moe Wagner.
“I mean, first of all, it sucks because he's my brother and you have a pretty high-level relationship, and he's obviously not happy with it,” Wagner said after Wednesday’s shoot around in Sacramento. “And he's struggling emotionally and all that stuff.
The Magic announced that Wagner will be reevaluated in three weeks. This season, he is averaging 21.3 points in 28 appearances.
So, everything that comes with it. You hate to see that for a family member. Obviously for us as players, big too, because he brings such a, has such a big impact on the game. But primarily, I care more about the person, and I feel very bad for him.”
Wagner is well acquainted with the frustrating circumstances his younger brother is dealing with. After tearing the ACL in his left knee in December 2024, Wagner missed over a year before making his return to the floor for the Magic. Wagner’s experience with a lengthy rehabilitation period allows him to impart advice on Franz.
“I think my biggest advice is— what I've learned is that it only heals if you're emotionally free and peaceful and relaxed,” Wagner said. “You can't fight it every day.
So having a timeframe in which you're doing your rehab rather than a day-by-day structure is much more peaceful for the mind and much more easy for the body to heal. And I think he's been embracing that for the last couple of days, and we'll see in three weeks, but kind of having that time to relax [his] mind and let the body do its work and then be ready when you're ready.”
Since making his season debut on Jan. 11, the elder Wagner has been efficient on the offensive end. In 13 games, he is averaging 9.2 points while shooting 51.2% from the field and 45.5% from 3-point range. He is averaging 12 minutes per game.
While processing the news that Wagner will miss additional time, the Magic must prepare for a four-game West Coast road trip that begins against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
"Well, we got 29 games left," Wagner said. "Day-by day, don't look ahead too far. Stay kind of in our little bubble and just try to grind out enough wins to make the playoffs. And I think we have a good group. We have a good group of guys that want to be together and hang out together and do that."