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Orlando Magic PR: INJURY UPDATE: @OrlandoMagic center Wendell Carter Jr. (left rib mild contusion) is available to play tonight vs LA Lakers.
When Jalen Suggs tossed his mouthpiece off the court after he was bumped by LaMelo Ball roughly halfway through the first quarter of Thursday’s game at Charlotte, the Magic guard was quickly assessed a technical fine from official Scott Foster. What Suggs didn’t know at the time was that his wallet would take a hit, too. Suggs was fined $25,000 for “throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of the spectator stands,” the NBA announced Saturday afternoon.
Michael Scotto: The Orlando Magic have converted two-way forward Jamal Cain and signed him to a two-year NBA contract, league sources told @hoopshype. Orlando has a team option for the 2026-27 season. Cain’s averaged 8 points on 56% from the field and 53% from 3-point range his last five games.
Jason Beede: Breaking News: The #Magic have signed two-way forward Jamal Cain to a standard NBA contract, the @orlandosentinel.com has learned. Cain fills Orlando’s 15th standard roster spot and will now be eligible to play in the postseason. A well-earned deal for Cain who turned 27 on Friday.
Jason Beede: The #Magic list Wendell Carter Jr. (left rib mild contusion) as Questionable for Saturday’s game vs. the Lakers. Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal strain), Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) all remain OUT.
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Jason Beede: The #Magic have assigned rookie Jase Richardson to Osceola, the team said. Orlando’s G League affiliate plays at home tonight vs. Delaware.
Whether Wagner is able to re-join his teammates on the floor sometime in the final stretch of the regular season remains to be seen, as he continues his extended rehab of a high left ankle sprain. Tuesday’s matchup with Oklahoma City, which the Magic lost by five points, 113-108, after they trailed by as many as 18 in the first half, marked the 40th game Wagner missed this year due to what he described as a “very frustrating process.” “Going into it, I was kind of expecting to feel really good within like 4-6 weeks of the injury,” Wagner told the Orlando Sentinel in the locker room after Tuesday’s game about the injury he suffered Dec. 7 at New York. “And obviously that wasn’t how I felt. So, I think that’s always frustrating probably not just for me (but) for everybody involved.”
After both instances, pain from the injury returned, indicating he needed more time to properly heal while dealing with the first high ankle sprain in his career. “I think it was a little special circumstances with the Berlin game,” he said. “I take responsibility for playing in that game and really pushing to play in that game, and it was probably a little too soon. And then, super frustrating for me to do it a second time around and still not feel up to par prior to the All-Star break. “So, it’s been a tough year,” he added. “Obviously I’ve got great respect for everybody here and I think we’re just trying to make best out of the situation.”
The playoffs begin a month from Wednesday and there are only 14 games remaining in the regular season for the Magic, starting Thursday at Charlotte. “Yeah, I think that’s the nature of this thing — I feel pressure,” he said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to play in that game in Berlin. I want to be available for the team and help my team win, regardless of how many games are left in the season honestly. “Obviously it gets more pressing and pressing by the day, but at this point, I’ll be honest, I just want to be healthy and 100% and really finish the rehab,” he added. “Can’t do any half-rehabs anymore.”
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The Magic are 16-12 with Wagner available this season and, after a recent seven-game winning streak, they’re 22-18 without him. But after back-to-back losses against the Hawks and Thunder, Orlando could use Wagner’s skillset on both ends of the court. He’s averaged 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals during 31.8 minute night across 28 games this season. “I feel like I’m progressing well and haven’t had pain really in my rehab, so that’s a good sign,” he said.
NBA Stat: 10 longest shots ever (in feet): Baron Davis - 89 (2001) Norm Van Lier - 84 (1977) Magic Johnson - 84 (1987) LeBron James - 83 (2007) Herb Williams - 81 (1986) Ziaire Williams - 79 (2023) Zoran Planinic - 77 (2005) 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮 - 𝟳𝟱 (𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲) Keon Clark - 73 (2000) Vince Carter - 72 (2016) #NBA
Justin Martinez: Final: Thunder 113, Magic 108 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 40 points, 5 boards and 4 steals Chet Holmgren: 20 points and 12 boards Ajay Mitchell: 16 points and 3 assists OKC (54-15) becomes the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season.
Cody Taylor: Anthony Black and Franz Wagner remain out for the Magic as they host the Thunder tonight: The full injury report: