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 out there in opposition to the Spurs whereas Terrence Ross moved into the beginning lineup.
The strikes helped, with the primary rotation retaining 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 12 months 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 pair 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 could have guys that may guard a number of positions, but additionally, you might have three younger guys who could make nice choices,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned after Thursday’s shootaround. “They’re all ball movers. They perceive the place guys are on the ground they usually’re prepared passers. That’s such an important mixture to place out on the ground for us.”
Wagner, Banchero and Carter have the potential to be the Magic’s long-term beginning frontcourt.
“The sky is the restrict,” Carter mentioned of the trio. “Franz is a participant who performs the suitable approach. He performs to win. It’s very easy taking part in with Franz. It’s P’s first yr, so he’s going to undergo stuff that every one rookies undergo. However on the similar time, he’s an outstanding participant and he additionally performs to win.”
Ross began rather than Cole Anthony, who was out there off the bench, alongside Jalen Suggs within the backcourt. Mo Bamba was out there off the bench after beginning in opposition to Memphis due to Wagner’s absence.
“Terrence has been implausible,” Mosley mentioned. “For these younger guys, he’s been a real professional. He opens the ground up as a result of groups should honor and respect him. His voice has been nice. His actions have adopted 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 taking part in in friendlies, 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and EuroBasket 2022 — a event Germany received the bronze medal in after defeating Poland on Sept. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Area 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 be sure that he’s working his approach again the suitable approach,” Mosley instructed the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s going to be [about] how his physique responds to that first recreation greater than something.”
The Magic conclude their preseason slate with house video games vs. the Grizzlies (Oct. 11) and Cleveland Cavaliers (Oct. 14).
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Electronic mail Khobi Worth at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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