Franz Wagner has stepped into the Orlando Magic's No. 1 role with leading scorer Paolo Banchero sidelined by injury. For the team to stay afloat, expect to see more of Wagner challenging defenses as a scorer and passer.
ORLANDO – When the Orlando Magic learned last week that All-Star forward Paolo Banchero's torn right oblique would cause a potential months-long absence, they didn't just lose their top option. They lost their leader.
Wagner said seeing their best player handle the situation like Banchero has – remaining engaged and taking on a positive attitude – goes a long way. But "that doesn't give us an excuse." "We've talked about Franz, one, his competitiveness, but then the other side is his IQ," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. "He's seen it. Our coaches do a great job of watching film with him. There were multiple times last year he's getting double-teamed, so he knows the right read to make the right play. He's drawing two, trying to find the right opening in the defense.
But in the five games since, he's averaging 21.4 points on 18.4 attempts from the field. Now, he's driving to the basket an average of 17.2 times a game and scoring 10.2 points. His usage rate over that span is 31.8, greater than Banchero's 31.1 before his injury.
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