Magic set to open NBA season against Hawks as Wagner provides health update

Sports admin October 20, 2026 0 Comments

Magic set to open NBA season against Hawks as Wagner provides health update

Magic forward Franz Wagner said he participated fully in practice Tuesday and he plans on playing in Wednesday’s opening night matchup against the Hawks at Kia Center.

Wagner, who wasn’t listed on Orlando’s initial injury report for Wednesday’s game, explained what happened when he exited last Friday’s preseason finale against the Heat because of right shoulder soreness.

“I swiped down at the ball and the same time (Simone Fontecchio) went up for a shot so I think that trigged something in my shoulder,” Wagner said inside the AdventHealth Training Center. “(I) felt a pretty sharp pain right away so I knew it didn’t make sense to keep playing.”

While Wagner will open the regular season on time, there are other Magic players who are still working their way back to the court. That includes fourth-year guard Anthony Black, who was already ruled out of Wednesday’s game after he suffered a right ankle sprain during voluntary workouts in the lead up to training camp.

“(I) don’t know about (Wednesday) but definitely feeling better,” said Black, who added that he rolled his ankle in a way he hadn’t done before. “It was a little bit of a weird injury. So, (I’m) just trying to take it day-by-day and make sure when I do get back out there, I’m not risking the rest of my body.”

Black spoke to the media for the first time Tuesday after he and the Magic failed to reach an agreement on a rookie-scale contract extension ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. deadline for 2023 first-round draft picks. By not signing an extension, the No. 6 overall pick in 2023 is headed towards restricted free agency.

A restricted free agent can sign an offer sheet with any team, but the player’s original team can retain him by matching the terms of that offer. Black also could become an unrestricted free agent if Orlando opts not to tender a qualifying offer, which would then allow him to sign with any team.

Black was asked by the Orlando Sentinel why he felt an agreement couldn’t come to fruition ahead of his fourth year with Orlando and the final season of his rookie contract.

“I don’t know,” he said. “For an agreement to happen, two people (have) to agree. And two people didn’t agree. So, (there was) no agreement.”

He made it clear that not signing an extension ahead of the deadline doesn’t change his perspective of the season in front of him.

“No, I’ve still got to do what I need to do,” Black said. “(I’m) still trying to help the team win. It’s more important than just me. So, (I’m) looking forward to having a good season and making the most out of this year with my team.”

Magic coach Sean Sweeney shared insight into his conversations with the young guard.

“The biggest thing that we’ve talked about is making sure that we keep everything consistent with what he’s been doing,” Sweeney said about Black. “He’s been awesome. He worked his (expletive) off (Tuesday). We’ve talked a lot about bringing everything back to the work and how we’ve been trying to build habits and ramp up for getting ready to play.

“And so far, so good, he’s done a great job with that.”

Beyond Black and Wagner, Sweeney also said Jase Richardson (sore lower back) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee injury management), both participated in practice Tuesday and continued to ramp up their on-court work.

While Richardson wasn’t listed on the injury report Tuesday, indicating he’ll be available to play, Isaac was ruled out of the contest. Orlando will also be without Noah Penda (right partially torn hamstring) and Izaiyah Nelson (left ankle injury management).

As the Magic open their first season under Sweeney against the Hawks at home, there’s a general feeling of excitement and eagerness amongst the group.

Orlando lost all four regular-season matchups against Atlanta last season and has dropped 18 of the past 23 regular-season meetings to the Southeast Division opponent.

“The group is excited to get going and we’re looking forward to what we have (Wednesday) and getting after it,” Sweeney said.

A first-time NBA coach after spending more than a decade as an assistant in the league, Sweeney turned the spotlight away from himself when he was asked what his first opening night as a head coach will feel like for him.

“We’re just excited as a group,” he said. “And we’re going to get ready to go. Preparation’s been good so far. Camp has been good. We’re going to keep building the habits and get ready to play against Atlanta (Wednesday) is the way we’re looking at it.”

Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]