Franz Wagner is avoiding a catastrophic ankle injury but will miss time

Orlando Magic star ahead Franz Wagner has avoided a serious injury to his left leg, but will be aside indefinitely with a high left ankle sprain, the team announced Monday afternoon.

The injury occurred on Sunday afternoon during the Magic’s road game against the New York Knicks. As he jumped to try to convert the lob attempt, Knicks big man Ariel Huckporty blocked the pass, causing Wagner to land awkwardly on his left foot.

Immediately, the Magic star collapsed to the ground, clutching his left knee in severe pain. After lying on the ground for several minutes, Wagner was treated and had to be carried to the locker room without any weight on his left leg.

At first it looked like the 24-year-old star suffered some sort of left knee injury, but he was quickly ruled out by the Magic moments later with what the team labeled a “lower left leg injury.”

After further evaluation and an MRI in Orlando, the scan showed no structural damage to Wagner’s left leg. He will now miss multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain, but this is the best case scenario considering how serious the injury looked.

Wagner will now be sidelined indefinitely and will miss Tuesday night’s NBA Cup knockout round against the Miami Heat.

In 24 games this season, Wagner is averaging 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 49 percent from the floor. He leads the Magic in scoring and plays at an All-Star level.

Now that he will miss a few weeks, Wagner’s chances of being named an All-Star for the first time are strong.

Without Wagner on the floor, the Magic will turn to All-Star forward Paolo Buncher to lead the team’s offensive attack. Banchero recently returned from a groin injury it sidelined him for almost three weeks.

Orlando has gone 1-1 in its two games since Buncher’s return to the lineup.

Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs will also see their roles increase alongside Banchero, with Wagner ruled out. Second-year wing Tristan da Silva, who has started 10 games so far this season, has he will likely be inserted back into the starting lineup.

The Magic will play their next game on Tuesday night against the Heat. If Orlando wins this game without Wagner, they will advance to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas and play the winner of the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors.

Further updates on Wagner’s status and potential return to action will be provided by the team at a later date.