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By Matt Levine
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Orlando Magic have been hit hard with injuries this season and have now lost another player. Backup center Moritz Wagner has suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN reported the news on social media.
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Wagner was in the midst of a full breakout season for Orlando, averaging 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. The big man was also shooting 36.0 percent from beyond the 3-point line this season.
This is just another tough injury for the Magic as they try to stay relevant in the tough Eastern Conference. Orlando has already lost star Franz Wagner to injury and star forward Paolo Banchero has yet to return from his injury early in the year.
Read more: Magic Star Paolo Banchero Reveals New Injury Timeline For His Return
Read more: Magic Star Sidelined Indefinitely With Significant Injury
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Yet through all the adversity and injuries that this team has faced this year, Orlando still finds itself sitting in fourth place within the Eastern Conference standings. They currently hold a record of 18-12, showing some massive fight despite all the odds against them.
Orlando entered the season looking to push themselves in the conference after making a surprise playoff appearance last year. The Magic took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink in the first round of the postseason, signaling major growth for this organization.
The franchise then added in veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason to bring more shooting and defense to the table. Orlando showed that they weren't just satisfied with reaching the playoffs but rather wanted to take that next step in terms of overall contention.
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This season has been trying for them due to all the injuries but the NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint. If the Magic can get their best players back into the fold come playoff time (Moritz Wagner's absence notwithstanding), this could be a tough group to eliminate.
The reigning champion Boston Celtics lead the way in the East, at least as the favorites, while other teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and the No. 1-seeded Cavaliers make their claim. It will be a tough road to overcome all these injuries for Orlando but they have a solid foundation in place to go up against any challenge that may come down the road.
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