With Wagner sidelined due to injury, the Magic face a severe test in their do-or-die game.

Ahead of their decisive Game 7 of the first round against the Detroit Pistons, the Orlando Magic announced some very bad news: their starting forward Franz Wagner will miss the game due to a right calf strain.

Wagner's injury began in the third quarter of Game 4 of the series. He has been sidelined ever since. In the two games without their key forward, the Magic struggled and suffered consecutive losses, allowing the Pistons to seize the opportunity to launch a comeback and drag the best-of-seven series into a Game 7.

Wagner's absence significantly impacted the Magic's defense, as he was the primary defender on Pistons star Cade Cunningham. According to ESPN data tracking, in the first four games of the series, when Wagner was primarily guarding Cunningham, the Pistons' star player completely shut down, scoring only 17 points on 6-of-24 shooting (a mere 25% field goal percentage), including a dismal 3-of-16 from three-point range, along with 6 turnovers.

However, with Wagner sidelined due to injury, Cunningham, freed from defensive constraints, has racked up 38.5 points in each of the last two games, with his overall field goal percentage and three-point percentage soaring to 50% and 58%, respectively. The Magic have consistently failed to address their significant weaknesses in perimeter defense, which has become their fatal flaw in their losing streak.

Besides his irreplaceable defensive presence, Wagner also delivered a well-rounded performance in this series, averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. Now, in this do-or-die game, the Magic have completely lost this crucial offensive and defensive anchor.

Image source: Internet/NBA official website