Will Franz Wagner return after a long absence due to injury in Berlin?

As it is Orlando Magic prepare for a rare international exhibition, star forward Franz Wagner may be nearing his return after a long injury layoff.

The The Magic (22-18) will face the Memphis Grizzlies in back-to-back games in Europe as part of the NBA’s Global Games Series, which begins Thursday at 2:00 PM ET on Prime Video in Berlin, Germany. Wagner, who had been sidelined for over a month, acknowledged the possibility to return before his home country without committing himself.

Wagner spoke to Athletic’s Joe Vardon ahead of the team’s overseas training session.

“I want to see how he is in practice today and tomorrow,” Franz said. “Obviously I really want to play, that’s really important, but I don’t want to make any promises.”

Wagner missed Orlando’s last 16 games after suffering a concussion high ankle sprain Dec. 7 during a 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks. He sat out that contest in just seven minutes, finishing with seven points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal before being ejected.

Franz Wagner talks about returning from injury against the Grizzlies in Berlin

Before the injury, Wagner was one of Orlando’s most consistent players this season. The 24-year-old is averaging 22.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range in 24 appearances. He averaged 33.4 minutes per game and remained a central figure in the Magic’s offense when available.

Orlando overcame Wagner’s absence as it continued to stay above .500, entering the Global Games stretch with momentum and an opportunity to expand its international profile. A potential return for Wagner to Berlin would add another level of significance to the match, given his ties to the city.

Those connections extend beyond Wagner himself. His brother, Moritz Wagner, recently made his season debut after recovering from a torn ACL suffered last December. Moritz had eight points, two rebounds and two assists in Orlando’s 128-118 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.

Both brothers are Berlin natives and developed through Alba Berlin’s youth system before playing professionally for the club and later attending college in Michigan.

After Thursday’s game, the Magic and Grizzlies will meet again Sunday at 12:00 PM ET on Prime Video in London, continuing Orlando’s international road momentum.