- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Magic Star Franz Wagner Out Indefinitely with Ankle Sprain
Injury casts doubt on Orlando's playoff hopes as they struggle to find rhythm without their top players.
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Orlando Magic announced that star forward Franz Wagner will be sidelined indefinitely with a high left ankle sprain. Wagner had recently returned from the same injury that forced him to miss 25 games earlier this season, but is still experiencing soreness and will be reevaluated in three weeks. The Magic are currently clinging to the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference, but may have a difficult time making the playoffs without one of their top players.
Why it matters
Wagner's injury is a significant blow to an Orlando team that has struggled with injuries to key players over the past two seasons. The Magic have gone just 12-13 in the games Wagner has missed, making their playoff positioning precarious. The team has failed to find consistent rhythm with their core players healthy, raising questions about the long-term fit of their young star duo of Wagner and Paolo Banchero.
The details
The Magic said recent imaging confirmed that Wagner needs additional rehab time before returning to play. He will be reevaluated in three weeks to determine the next steps. Without Wagner, the Magic may have a hard time maintaining their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The team has the league's 19th-best offense and 14th-best defense, numbers that reflect their struggles when Wagner has been out.
- Wagner returned for a two-game stint prior to the All-Star break from the same ankle injury.
- Wagner has missed 25 games since early December due to the ankle issue.
The players
Franz Wagner
A young star forward for the Orlando Magic who is sidelined indefinitely with a high left ankle sprain.
Paolo Banchero
The Magic's other young star player who has also missed significant time due to injuries over the past two seasons.
What’s next
Wagner will be reevaluated in three weeks to determine the best course of action for his recovery.
The takeaway
The Magic's playoff hopes have taken a significant hit with the indefinite loss of star forward Franz Wagner due to a lingering ankle injury. This latest setback continues a troubling trend of injuries for Orlando's young core, raising questions about the long-term fit and development of their top players.
