Just when it appeared just like the Orlando Magic have been going to take important 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 mushy tissue underneath the foot) and reserve ahead Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness) not being out there for the 107-99 dwelling loss.
Terrence Ross additionally was dominated out an hour earlier than tipoff due to an sickness, leaving the Magic (5-14) with six normal roster gamers sidelined.
Being with out a number of rotation items isn’t new. The Magic have had a minimum of 5 normal roster gamers out each sport, making it difficult to know the workforce’s capabilities.
“It hasn’t been a full evaluation,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated. “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 steadily. They’re one of many league’s greatest rebounding groups.
They nonetheless want to indicate they will 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 stated. “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.”
Banchero, the No. 1 decide in June’s draft, completed with 19 factors on 5-of-12 capturing and eight of 11 on free throws to go together with 4 rebounds and three assists in his return.
Franz Wagner had a team-high 24 factors on 7-of-12 capturing and 9 of 10 on free throws. Bol Bol completed with 18 factors, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks whereas R.J. Hampton scored 10 factors off the bench.
Banchero had 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 stated. “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.”
Moe Wagner (7 factors and 5 rebounds in 17 minutes) made his season debut when he subbed in late within the first quarter. He hadn’t performed since spraining his proper midfoot throughout 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 stated. “The other side people don’t recognize because of that energy is he has a high basketball IQ.”
Tobias Harris led the 76ers, who have been with out three of their prime scorers, with 23 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Shake Milton had workforce highs of 24 factors and 10 assists whereas Georges Niang scored 18 (5 of seven on 3s) off the bench.
The 76ers have been with out Joel Embiid (sprained left midfoot), Tyrese Maxey (fractured left foot) and James Harden (strained proper foot tendon).
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.
Cole Anthony (torn proper inside indirect), Markelle Fultz (fractured left massive toe) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee harm restoration) stay out.
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