NBA Power Rankings: Magic Rising After Franz Wagner Return?

The Orlando Magic saw Franz Wagner return to the lineup this week. Where does that place them in this week's power rankings?

Jeremy Brener | Jan 24, 2024

NBA Power Rankings: Magic Rising After Franz Wagner Return? /

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic has had more downs than ups in the month of January.

Ravaged by injuries, the Magic are 4-9 in their last 13 games. However, Orlando got one of their most important players back on Wednesday in Franz Wagner.

Franz Wagner 76ers Paul Reed — Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Wagner has been the Magic's second-leading scorer this season behind Paolo Banchero and is a key part of Orlando's success. Even though the team went 1-3 this week, Wagner's return helped the Magic move up one spot in CBS Sports' power rankings from No. 18 to 17.

"The Magic were happy to get Franz Wagner back this week, who helped them to their lone victory of the week over the Heat, with losses to the Hawks, 76ers and Cavs. Wagner averaged 18 points in the two games he played on 40% 3-point shooting," CBS Sports writes.

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This week, Orlando is benefitting with some much-needed time off to heal before the next game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. Then, the Magic return home for a quick game against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday before beginning a road trip the next day against the Dallas Mavericks.

Published Jan 24, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.