The Orlando Magic had a pair of lineup shakeups for his or her Thursday preseason matchup on the San Antonio Spurs.
Second-year ahead Franz Wagner was obtainable in opposition to the Spurs whereas Terrence Ross moved into the beginning lineup.
The strikes helped, with the principle rotation maintaining the sport shut sufficient earlier than the deep bench unit closed the sport out on a 20-8 run to safe a 102-99 win.
Wagner, who was named to the 2021-22 All-Rookie first crew and completed fourth (two third-place votes) in voting for Rookie of the Year that was awarded to Toronto Raptors ahead Scottie Barnes, sat out of the Magic’s preseason-opening loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.
He began alongside Wendell Carter Jr. and Paolo Banchero, within the No. 1 decide in June’s NBA draft, within the frontcourt for the primary time.
Carter completed with team-highs of 20 factors (8-13) and 10 rebounds for a double-double to associate with 3 assists and a couple of blocks in 22 minutes. Wagner recorded 12 factors (4-8) and three assists whereas Banchero had 9 factors, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and three steals.
“You have guys that can guard multiple positions, but also, you have three young guys who can make great decisions,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated after Thursday’s shootaround. “They’re all ball movers. They understand where guys are on the floor and they’re willing passers. That’s such a great combination to put out on the floor for us.”
Wagner, Banchero and Carter have the potential to be the Magic’s long-term beginning frontcourt.
“The sky is the limit,” Carter stated of the trio. “Franz is a player who plays the right way. He plays to win. It’s really easy playing with Franz. It’s P’s first year, so he’s going to go through stuff that all rookies go through. But at the same time, he’s a phenomenal player and he also plays to win.”
Ross began rather than Cole Anthony, who was obtainable off the bench, alongside Jalen Suggs within the backcourt. Mo Bamba was obtainable off the bench after beginning in opposition to Memphis due to Wagner’s absence.
“Terrence has been fantastic,” Mosley stated. “For these young guys, he’s been a true pro. He opens the floor up because teams have to honor and respect him. His voice has been great. His actions have followed his voice.”
Moe Wagner led the bench with 10 factors (4-7) whereas R.J. Hampton had 8 factors (4-7), 7 rebounds 3 assists and three steals.
Markelle Fultz (fractured large left toe), Gary Harris (left knee rehabilitation), Jonathan Isaac (left knee rehabilitation), and Admiral Schofield (left knee contusion) stay sidelined.
The Magic are monitoring Franz Wagner’s preseason workload after a month-long summer time run with Germany’s males’s nationwide basketball crew, which included enjoying in friendlies, 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and EuroBasket 2022 — a event Germany gained the bronze medal in after defeating Poland on Sept. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin.
Franz Wagner averaged 15.2 factors, 4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.6 minutes (9 video games) in EuroBasket.
Orlando will play the Mavericks in Dallas on Friday to wrap up the back-to-back.
“We’ll make sure he’s working his way back the right way,” Mosley advised the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s going to be [about] how his body responds to that first game more than anything.”
The Magic conclude their preseason slate with residence video games vs. the Grizzlies (Oct. 11) and Cleveland Cavaliers (Oct. 14).
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com