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Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic suffered an injury scare against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Orlando Magic are one of the biggest postseason surprises, well … ever. Can they keep it up? 

The recent Game 5 loss doesn’t diminish the fact that as the No. 8 seed, they have pushed the top-seeded Detroit Pistons to the brink in their first-round Eastern Conference series.

The Magic now hold a 3-2 lead despite facing significant challenges. They are one victory away from advancing to the second round for the first time since 2020. Although they must do so without one of their key contributors fully healthy.

Franz Wagner Ruled Out For A Crucial Game 6

The Magic have been hit with a latest injury setback ahead of Friday’s Game 6 at the Kia Center. Star forward Franz Wagner has been listed as out for the game due to a calf problem. He will now miss back-to-back series games.

According to CBS Sports, Wagner’s availability has been confirmed for Friday’s pivotal game. 

“The Magic at least left the door open for Wagner to play through a right calf strain in Game 5, but Orlando is quickly ruling out the star forward a day in advance of a critical Game 6. 

The German star exited Game 4 late in the third quarter with a right calf issue after posting 19 points. Orlando dropped Game 5 without him despite a 45-point heroics from Paolo Banchero.

Head coach Jamahl Mosley and the staff will lean even more on Banchero and the supporting core of Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr. 

Jamal Cain started in Wagner’s place during the Game 5 loss, while Anthony Black stepped up from the bench with a heavy 39-minute workload. 

Injuries haven’t been kind to Wagner this season. He was limited to just 34 regular-season appearances, his lowest total. He had managed to play in the play-in tournament and first four games of this series before the calf strain sidelined him.

Wagner is averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists so far in the playoffs. 

Orlando Shaking Off Injury Setback To Close Out as Historic No. 8 Seed

With Wagner now confirmed out of Game 6, the Magic must regroup effectively against a rallying Pistons.

Detroit captured a season-saving win Wednesday night in front of an anxious home crowd. Things got dicey at times, as star point guard Cade Cunningham put the team on his back, sinking tough jumpers left and right en route to a 45-point gem.

His performance marks the highest scoring game in Detroit franchise history. He really did that. In an elimination game.

Say thank you, Detroit.

Now all eyes turn to Friday night, where the Pistons will have to march back into Orlando in an hostile environment. The Pistons have yet to win on the road this series. 

This will be the biggest mountain to climb.

A big thing to watch for: who will step up for Detroit? 

Cunningham pulled off a herculean effort in Game 5 to keep the season alive, but to ask a player to repeat a performance like that in back-to-back playoff games is an extremely demanding ask. 

With Wagner out for Orlando, do the Pistons have another hurrah in them …

Or is this where the ball drops?