The Orlando Magic will be without leading scorer Franz Wagner when they welcome the Miami Heat for an NBA Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday.
The concern is that it could be an extended absence.
Wagner, who averages 22.7 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 36% from 3-point range, suffered a left high ankle sprain in the first quarter of Sunday’s 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Wagner landed awkwardly after attempting to slam an alley-oop pass from teammate Anthony Black. An MRI on Monday confirmed the sprain, and ESPN reported that two to four weeks is the likely timetable for a return.
“That hurt my heart watching him hit the floor,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “I’m just praying everything is going to be OK with him. You just don’t like to see that happen to anyone, especially (Wagner), who does everything the right way at all times he’s on the floor.”
The Magic have won 10 of their last 14 games, but struggled to keep pace with New York following Wagner’s early exit.
Jalen Suggs scored 17 points and Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero had 16 apiece for Orlando, which shot 28.6% (12 of 42) from beyond the arc.
“That’s part of when you say it’s a make-or-miss league,” Mosle
