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5 Orlando Magic things to know from the FIBA World Cup’s first round

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Paolo Banchero turned in a solid run as Team USA's backup center as the tournament moves to the second round. (Photo by Ariana Saigh/Getty Images)
Paolo Banchero turned in a solid run as Team USA's backup center as the tournament moves to the second round. (Photo by Ariana Saigh/Getty Images) /
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Franz Wagner, Germany
Franz Wagner had a well-rounded game. But his fourth-quarter injury is the only thing that matters now. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) (Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images) /

5 things to know after the Orlando Magic’s FIBA World Cup first round

Franz Wagner is human

The amazing thing about Franz Wagner is his durability and reliability. Wagner has missed only five games in his two seasons in the NBA. And all five of those games were late in the season when the Magic were shutting down players.

That does not mean Wagner has not been hurt before. He has rolled his ankle as all NBA players do. But he will usually brush it off and be back on the floor quickly. It is actually kind of amazing, especially considering how often he forays into the paint and needs his plant foot to change direction and explode to the basket.

That good luck ran out a bit in Germany’s first game against Japan.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Wagner drove the lane and tried a jump pass to the opposite corner. He landed on an opponent’s foot and immediately went down with a sprained left ankle.

Wagner missed the final two games of the first round. Germany still won both — defeating both Australia and Finland — to take the top spot in the group. Wagner is still listed as day-to-day and there seems to be optimism that he will return.

But we have been notably deprived of Wagner playing basketball. Which just makes everyone sad.

Especially because Wagner had a really strong game against Japan. He scored only 10 points and continued his offseason struggles from beyond the arc missing all six of his 3-pointers but going 5 for 6 from inside the arc.

But he filled up the stat sheet with six rebounds and five assists. He was everywhere getting the ball moving. And Germany really could use that secondary playmaker and driver.

Wagner is going to get his points and probably get his shots, even if it feels like he is not. But he just makes smart plays and now it seems like his passing is up and he has been more active on the glass.

The injury put all of this on hold. And now everyone is waiting to see when he will come back.

Germany has the advantage at 3-0 after group play and they start the second round against Georgia. The question is whether they will need to be Slovenia and need Wagner for that game or if they can bide more time before the knockout round.