Just when it appeared just like the Orlando Magic had been going to take vital steps ahead with participant availability, they wound up taking some again.
The steps ahead: Rookie ahead Paolo Banchero and massive man Moe Wagner making their returns vs. the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday at Amway Center.
The steps again: Starting massive man Wendell Carter Jr. (strained proper plantar fascia — the delicate tissue underneath the foot) and reserve ahead Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness) not being out there.
Terrence Ross additionally was dominated out an hour earlier than tipoff due to an sickness, leaving the Magic with six commonplace roster gamers sidelined.
Being with out a number of rotation items isn’t new. The Magic have had a minimum of 5 commonplace roster gamers out each sport, making it difficult to understand the staff’s capabilities.
“It hasn’t been a full evaluation,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “With different bodies and guys out there, you’re looking at what they can do individually.”
There are encouraging outlines of what the Magic can turn into collectively.
Offensively, they get to the rim and free throw line ceaselessly. They’re one of many league’s finest rebounding groups.
They nonetheless want to point out they’ll lower down turnovers, third-quarter lapses and enhance defensive communication — particularly when switching.
“It’s the puzzle pieces like we talked about early in the year,” Mosley mentioned. “You have your mindset on puzzle pieces that you think are going to fit. Then injuries happen, [and] things occur. We’re talking about being able to have the next-man-up mentality. Our guys are understanding what they need to do. And our coaches are doing a great job of having them ready. It’s not easy but it’s our job to put them in the best position to be successful.”
Carter has missed 4 of 5 video games with the foot harm whereas Okeke’s absence is his first of the season. Okeke left Monday’s loss to the Pacers in Indianapolis with knee soreness.
Banchero, the No. 1 decide in June’s draft, missed seven consecutive video games due to a sprained left ankle in a Nov. 7 dwelling loss to the Houston Rockets earlier than returning Friday.
He was averaging a team-high 23.5 factors, which is essentially the most amongst rookies, to go together with 8.3 rebounds and three.6 assists in 34.6 minutes (11 video games) earlier than struggling the harm.
“[He adds] a ton,” Mosley mentioned. “We talk about his ability to get to the rim, his ability to get to the free throw line. His physical stature, being able to punish defenses, is going to be very big for us. Our switching gets back into play the same way with bigger-sized bodies.”
Wagner made his season debut when he subbed in late within the first quarter. He hadn’t performed since spraining his proper midfoot through the preseason win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 14.
“His energy, enthusiasm, those bell plays we talk about — whether that’s taking a charge, making the extra pass, getting under the skin of the defender — he’s great at those things,” Mosley mentioned. “The other side people don’t recognize because of that energy is he has a high basketball IQ.”
Cole Anthony (torn proper inside indirect), Markelle Fultz (fractured left massive toe) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee harm restoration) stay out.
The 76ers had been with out three of their prime scorers in Joel Embiid (sprained left midfoot), Tyrese Maxey (fractured left foot) and James Harden (strained proper foot tendon).
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com