Orlando Magic Inch Toward Full Strength as Injuries Linger, Energy Remains High
There was a telling contrast inside the AdventHealth Training Center on Tuesday.
On one end of the floor, Jalen Suggs slowly made his way toward reporters, nursing a left hip contusion and the weight of yet another injury. Normally one of the most energetic voices in the room, Suggs spoke softly, clearly frustrated by the idea of missing more time.
He didn’t need to say much - his body language said it all. Another setback.
Another pause in his development.
Meanwhile, just a few feet away, the gym came alive with the unmistakable energy of Moe Wagner. The big man was back on the court, not in full contact drills, but doing what he does best - bringing life to the group.
He was holding court, literally and figuratively, playing king of the court with teammates Desmond Bane, Noah Penda, and Jase Richardson. His booming voice echoed through the gym, a welcome sound for a team that’s been short on healthy bodies but never short on spirit.
"What's more important is you can hear him yelling and screaming and hollering and getting guys going," head coach Jamahl Mosley said after practice. "I love that more than him necessarily being on the court. His energy gives so much life to us."
Wagner isn’t expected to return during the upcoming four-game West Coast swing, but his presence is already making an impact. He’s doing non-contact work with the team, and that’s a step in the right direction - not just physically, but emotionally for a group that’s been grinding through a tough stretch.
Franz Wagner, recovering from a high ankle sprain, hasn’t been formally available to the media since the injury, though he spoke briefly at a recent charity event. His rehab is ramping up - visible weight training sessions behind the scenes offer a quiet but encouraging sign. Whether he’ll travel on the road trip remains uncertain.
And then there’s Suggs, whose injury is the freshest blow. He took a couple of hard falls in Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal and eventually had to pull himself out of the game.
The diagnosis: hip contusion. The good news?
It’s not long-term. The bad news?
It’s another interruption for a player who’s already battled his fair share of them.
"I'm doing good," Suggs said Tuesday. "Just spending time with our [medical] team and getting my body right. I'm just going to work on the body, work on the mind, get everything right and ready back to roll."
That’s been the theme for Orlando lately - getting right, staying ready, and finding ways to compete no matter who’s available.
A Familiar Challenge
The Magic know this drill all too well. Last season, they saw their top trio - Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs - share the court for just six games.
This year, they hoped for better luck. Instead, Banchero missed 10 games early in the year with a groin strain, and just as he returned, Wagner went down.
Now Suggs is sidelined again.
It’s been a revolving door, but the team hasn’t let it derail their progress. Mosley continues to preach the “next man up” mentality, and the young roster has responded.
"It's a chance for everybody," Mosley said. "We're down bodies, guys are in and out of lineups.
We've got to make sure it's always going to be the next man up mentality. These young guys have proven they can step into their moments and play."
That depth has been critical. And while the Magic haven’t been at full strength, they’ve shown flashes of what they can be when the core is intact.
In the 11 games where Banchero, Wagner, Suggs, and Desmond Bane have all played together, the results have been impressive: a +15.7 net rating, fueled by a 121.4 offensive rating and a 105.7 defensive rating. That’s elite territory, and it speaks to the potential this group has when healthy.
But potential doesn’t win games. Availability does.
A Break in the Action
The NBA Cup schedule gave Orlando a small but valuable reprieve. Their semifinal loss on Saturday meant a few extra days off - time to regroup, get home, and squeeze in some much-needed practice before heading back out west.
It’s not a cure-all, but it helps. Every day off is a chance for someone to inch closer to return.
Every practice is a chance to recalibrate the rotations. Every rep matters when you’re trying to build continuity on the fly.
Even with Suggs out, his voice will still be part of the team’s fabric.
"Just continue to have good conversation, give input when I feel the time is right," Suggs said. "Stay a part of the team.
Injury doesn't make you anything else. Keep talking, keep a presence and be excited for these guys to have a chance to hoop."
That’s the mindset of a leader. And it’s one the Magic will lean on as they try to weather this stretch.
Waiting for the Stars to Align
There’s no question the Magic are eager to see what this team looks like at full strength. The numbers suggest something special is brewing. But they’ve been here before - waiting, hoping, piecing things together.
The good news? They’re getting closer.
Moe Wagner is back on the court. Franz Wagner is progressing.
Suggs, while sidelined, is staying locked in. Banchero is healthy and leading.
The pieces are there. They just haven’t all been on the board at the same time.
For now, it’s about staying the course. The Magic have shown they can compete through adversity. What comes next - when they’re whole - could be even more exciting.
But first, a little more waiting. A little more healing. And a lot more belief.