Wendell Carter Jr. Says Magic Need To 'Exhaust The Simple'

The Orlando Magic's struggles continued with a 124-109 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

ORLANDO - After a red-hot start to the season, the Orlando Magic have fallen back down to earth. 

With a 124-109 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday at the Kia Center, Orlando has dropped five of its last six games and 13 of its last 19 and has also gone from second in the Eastern Conference to eighth.

Wendell Carter Jr. playing defense against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid / Jeremy Reper-USA Today Sports

For Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., he thinks simplifying things can do wonders for a young Orlando team in the middle of a slump. He also noted the success of Philadelphia (27-13) and the Boston Celtics (32-10) because of their simplicity. 

"This is just about just keeping the game simple," Carter Jr. said. "You look at the 76ers of the world, Celtics of the world, there's nothing crazy that they're doing out there. They just exhaust the simple, and I think that's something that we got to do a better job at continuing."

Injuries have also played a role in the Magic's midseason woes. Franz Wagner (sprained ankle) and Gary Harris (strained calf) have each missed eight straight games after suffering their injuries on Jan. 3 vs. the Sacramento Kings.

Carter Jr. has also dealt with his fair share of injuries, missing 26 games this season due to hand and knee injuries and Jonathan Isaac missed 10 straight due to a hamstring injury and illness before returning on Jan. 13 in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Carter Jr. has begun to find his stride since returning from right knee tendinitis, as he has set season-high in points in back-to-back games, including a double-double against Philadelphia with 25 points and 11 rebounds. 

Carter. Jr. has averaged 20 points per game in his last three games.

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Regardless, Orlando has to find its stride if it doesn't want to squander a 16-7 start. With the trade deadline looming, the Magic brass will have to determine if it's as easy as embracing the simple things and getting Wagner and Harris back or if it needs to make a move to add some juice to a young team in the middle of a rut. 

Orlando hosts the Miami Heat (24-18) on Sunday at the Kia Center at 6 p.m. ET.