NBA Power Rankings: Magic 'Struggling' Without Franz Wagner
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.
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."
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.).
