NBA Power Rankings: Magic 'Struggling' Without Franz Wagner

Franz Wagner has been out for the Orlando Magic's last six games.

Jeremy Brener | Jan 16, 2024

NBA Power Rankings: Magic 'Struggling' Without Franz Wagner /

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic improved to a measly 2-6 in the month of January on Monday with a win against the New York Knicks.

In seven of those eight games, Orlando has played mostly without Franz Wagner, who sprained his ankle early in the team's Jan. 3 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

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

That's also why the Magic has slipped six spots in CBS Sports' most recent power rankings. The team now slots in at No. 18 after being at No. 12 a week ago.

"Orlando's offense has been STRUGGLING without Franz Wagner, scoring 100 points or fewer in each game this week -- unheard of in the 2024 NBA," CBS Sports writes. "Luckily, its defense was good enough to pick up a win over the Knicks on Monday to salvage what would have been a winless week. Paolo Banchero is doing some heavy lifting, averaging 21 points, six rebounds and five assists for the week, while going ice cold from 3-point range."

Magic Rookie Anthony Black 'Getting More Comfortable'

The Magic returns to action tomorrow night against the Atlanta Hawks on the road before returning to the Kia Center for a three-game homestand against the Philadelphia 76ers (Fri.), Miami Heat (Sat.) and Cleveland Cavaliers (Mon.).

Published Jan 16, 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.