<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/magic-news-franz-wagner-jamahl-mosely-highlight-wendell-carter-jr-goga-bitadze-impact');   ga('set', 'title', 'Franz Wagner, Jamahl Mosely highlight Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze frontcourt impact');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Magic-news-Franz-Wagner-Jamahl-Mosely-highlight-Wendell-Carter-Jr.-Goga-Bitadze-frontcourt-impact.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Franz Wagner, Jamahl Mosely highlight Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze frontcourt impact</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-30T12:20:15-08:00">November 30th, 12:20pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-30T12:20:15-08:00">November 30th, 12:20pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-orlando-dominate-nets-season-best-3-point-shooting-nba-cup">Orlando Magic continued their impressive NBA Cup run</a> with a commanding 123-100 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. The victory, their fifth straight, improved their record to 14-7 overall and 3-0 in East Group A play. Central to the Magic’s success was the impactful play of their evolving frontcourt, featuring Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze.</p><p>Franz Wagner, who led Orlando with 29 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block, spoke highly of the duo postgame, emphasizing their importance to the team’s recent success. Wagner acknowledged the adjustments required for the frontcourt pairing, particularly for Carter Jr., who recently returned to action after a 12-game absence.</p><p>“I’m sure it’s an adjustment for them too as well,” Wagner <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">said</a>. “I thought they’re doing a great job, obviously requires a little bit of communication, guys playing out of their position, especially Wendell. I feel like Wendell is doing a great job of just finding his way back into things and it’s not easy playing at a spot that you’re not normally in.”</p><p>Wagner further elaborated on Carter Jr.’s value, praising his leadership on and off the court.</p><p>“I think just having someone out there we’ve been playing together for a long time. It’s also someone who can speak up when stuff isn’t going the right way and it’s just great to have him back out there,” Wagner said.</p><h2><b>Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze anchor dominant defensive effort</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Goga-Bitadze-35-reacts-in-front-of-Brooklyn-Nets-guard-Ben-Simmons-10.jpg"><figcaption>© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-wendell-carter-jr-return-from-injury-vs-bulls-but-theres-a-catch">Carter Jr., reinserted into the rotation</a> during Wednesday’s win over the Chicago Bulls, has seamlessly transitioned into his role alongside Bitadze in the starting unit. Rather than displacing Bitadze, who filled in during Carter Jr.’s absence, head coach Jamahl Mosley opted to pair the two big men. Against the Nets, the frontcourt delivered solid contributions: Carter Jr. tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a block, while Bitadze added eight points, six rebounds, three assists, and a career-high five blocks.</p><p>The defensive presence of the two big men was particularly notable. Magic veteran swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who contributed 19 points on seven-of-eight shooting, highlighted the impact of their interior defense.</p><p>“It’s kinda hard to score on that when you got me, Suggs, Franz guarding the wings and then if you get past us you got the two big guys down there, shot blockers to change a lot of shots for us,” Caldwell-Pope said. “Also, cleaning the glass and they’re getting rebounds for us. That’s where we get out and push in transition, which we are starting to get better at.”</p><h2><b>Jamahl Mosley credits frontcourt chemistry in Magic’s NBA Cup win over Nets</b></h2><p>Mosley <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">praised</a> the chemistry and communication between Carter Jr. and Bitadze, noting their influence on both ends of the floor.</p><p>“I probably pushed him a little bit too long, but I think [Carter Jr.] handled it well, and obviously we’ll just continue to keep working and see where he is,” Mosley said. “But it’s about the rhythm, it’s about the chemistry, it’s about those guys working together. You can just see their lines of communication out there on the floor. Even when we turned it over one or two times, they’re trying to make the right play for one another.”</p><p>The Magic’s defense, anchored by their frontcourt, forced 20 turnovers and limited the Nets’ offensive opportunities. Their ability to protect the rim and control the boards has become a cornerstone of their identity, fueling both their transition game and half-court efficiency.</p><p>Now boasting the league’s largest point differential at +60, the Magic will look to extend their winning streak as they face the Brooklyn Nets (9-11) again on Sunday. Their final NBA Cup group-stage matchup against the New York Knicks (11-8) on Tuesday will determine their path forward in the tournament.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Franz Wagner, Jamahl Mosely highlight Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze frontcourt impact

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/magic-news-wendell-carter-jr-return-from-injury-vs-bulls-but-theres-a-catch');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wendell Carter Jr. to return from injury vs. Bulls, but there’s a catch');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wendell-Carter-Jr.-to-return-from-injury-vs.-Bulls-but-theres-a-catch.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Wendell Carter Jr. to return from injury vs. Bulls, but there’s a catch</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-27T10:48:35-08:00">November 27th, 10:48am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-27T10:48:35-08:00">November 27th, 10:48am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Orlando Magic (12-7) will welcome center Wendell Carter Jr. back to the court Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls (8-11) as the team seeks to extend its three-game winning streak. Carter Jr., who has been sidelined for 12 games due to left foot plantar fasciitis, will play under a minutes restriction as he eases back into action.</p><p>The 25-year-old sustained the injury during the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-is-wendell-carter-jr-playing-vs-pistons-latest-injury-update">Magic’s November 3 loss to the Dallas Mavericks</a>. Head coach Jamahl Mosley confirmed Carter Jr.’s status in <a href="https://x.com/therealbeede/status/1861813243783545112" rel="noopener">comments captured</a> by the Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Beede, noting the cautious approach the team will take.</p><p>“Well, he’s definitely going to be on a minutes [restriction] after sitting out that long. You’re going to have a timeframe of 14-16 minutes just to see where he is. Sometimes those guys, coming back from [injury] the conditioning side is a big piece. But we want to make sure we slowly walk it back in vs. just ramping up right away,” Mosley said.</p><p>Before his injury, Carter Jr. had been a steady presence in the Magic lineup, averaging 8.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 44.7% from the field over 26.3 minutes per game.</p><h2><b>Wendell Carter Jr.’s return bolsters Magic ahead of Bulls matchup</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wendell-Carter-Jr.-34-reacts-to-a-call-in-the-second-half.jpg"><figcaption>© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In his absence, Goga Bitadze has stepped into the starting center role, contributing to Orlando’s recent success. During the 12-game stretch without Carter Jr., Bitadze has averaged 9.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. Bitadze is expected to remain the starter against Chicago as Carter Jr. works his way back into the rotation.</p><p>The Magic’s backcourt depth will take a hit as guard Gary Harris has been ruled out with a left hamstring strain. Harris has averaged 4.1 points per game this season, shooting 37.1% from beyond the arc in a reduced role, logging just 16.6 minutes per game.</p><p>Wednesday’s game marks the second meeting of the season between the Magic and Bulls. Orlando fell 102-99 in their first matchup on October 30 at Chicago’s United Center. That game also marked the last appearance for forward <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-paolo-banchero-biggest-christmas-wish-amid-injury-concerns">Paolo Banchero, who has since been sidelined with a torn right oblique</a>.</p><p>Despite injury setbacks, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-franz-wagner-reality-check-after-massive-performance-win-vs-pistons">Magic have leaned on strong performances from Franz Wagner</a>, who has emerged as a potential All-Star and All-NBA candidate this season. With Wagner leading the charge, Orlando will look to maintain its momentum and avenge the earlier loss to Chicago in front of a home crowd.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wendell Carter Jr. to return from injury vs. Bulls, but there’s a catch

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/magic-news-is-wendell-carter-jr-playing-vs-pistons-latest-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Is Wendell Carter Jr. playing vs. Pistons? Latest injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Magic-news-Is-Wendell-Carter-Jr.-playing-vs.-Pistons-Latest-injury-update.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Is Wendell Carter Jr. playing vs. Pistons? Latest injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-23T14:02:17-08:00">November 23rd, 2:02pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-23T14:06:18-08:00">November 23rd, 2:06pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Detroit Pistons</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. <a href="https://official.nba.com/nba-injury-report-2024-25-season/" rel="noopener">remains questionable</a> for the team’s upcoming game against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. This marks the third consecutive game where Carter Jr. has been listed as questionable. He participated in practice earlier this week on Tuesday but was ruled out for back-to-back games, including the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-franz-wagner-special-game-vs-lakers-leads-to-historic-lebron-james-company%5D">Magic’s recent win over the Los Angeles Lakers</a> and their previous matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.</p><p>The 25-year-old center has been sidelined for the Magic’s last 10 games due to left foot plantar fasciitis, an injury sustained during the second quarter of their November 3 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Prior to his injury, Carter Jr. appeared in six games this season, averaging 8.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 44.7% from the field in 26.3 minutes of action.</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(free trial)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Wendell Carter Jr.’s injury status vs. Pistons</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wendell-Carter-Jr.-34-dunks-the-ball-against-the-Philadelphia-76ers.jpg"><figcaption>© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Carter Jr.’s return would bolster the Magic’s frontcourt, especially as they continue to cope with the absence of star forward <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-paolo-banchero-biggest-christmas-wish-amid-injury-concerns">Paolo Banchero, who remains sidelined with a torn right oblique</a>. Despite these setbacks, the Magic have shown resilience, posting a 7-3 record during Carter Jr.’s absence and improving to 10-7 overall. This strong stretch includes a six-game winning streak, with Goga Bitadze stepping into the starting lineup.</p><p>Bitadze has played a pivotal role in maintaining the Magic’s competitiveness. The other 25-year-old big man has averaged 9.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, two assists, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 70.5% from the field in Carter Jr.’s absence. His defensive presence and ability to finish around the rim have been instrumental in the Magic’s success.</p><p>The Magic’s coaching staff has expressed optimism about Carter Jr.’s progress but has <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-wendell-carter-jr-progressing-slowly-no-clear-timetable-injury-return">refrained from committing to a definitive timeline</a> for his return. His availability for Saturday’s game will likely hinge on his response to pre-game warm-ups and further evaluations.</p><h2><b>Magic eye continued momentum</b></h2><p>As the Magic prepare to host the Pistons (7-10), they aim to extend their strong start to the 2024-25 season and solidify their position in the Eastern Conference standings. However, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/pistons-news-cade-cunningham-ruled-out-magic-clash">Pistons will be without their leading scorer and playmaker Cade Cunningham</a>, who is out with a left hip injury sustained during Detroit’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets earlier this week. Cunningham’s absence leaves the Pistons relying on guards Jaden Ivey and Wendell Moore Jr. to fill the void in their backcourt.</p><p>The potential return of Carter Jr. would provide the Magic with much-needed depth in the paint, helping to alleviate the workload on Bitadze and enhance their rebounding and defensive schemes. With Carter Jr. nearing a comeback, Orlando is poised to strengthen its interior presence as it seeks to build on its recent success.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Is Wendell Carter Jr. playing vs. Pistons? Latest injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/magic-news-wendell-carter-jr-progressing-slowly-no-clear-timetable-injury-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wendell Carter Jr. ‘progressing slowly’ with no clear timetable for injury return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wendell-Carter-Jr.-progressing-slowly-with-no-clear-timetable-for-injury-return.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Wendell Carter Jr. ‘progressing slowly’ with no clear timetable for injury return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-15T11:40:06-08:00">November 15th, 11:40am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-15T11:41:00-08:00">November 15th, 11:41am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Orlando Magic</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. continues to recover from left foot plantar fasciitis, but his return to the court remains uncertain. Head coach Jamahl Mosley <a href="https://x.com/therealbeede/status/1857463106105905379" rel="noopener">provided an update</a> on Carter Jr.’s status, describing his recovery as “progressing slowly.”</p><p>“Going through treatments as he’s been and just progressing slowly,” Mosley told Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.</p><p>Carter Jr. suffered the injury during the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-jalen-suggs-gives-emotional-take-on-viral-wendell-carter-jr-moment">Magic’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks</a> earlier this month and has remained sidelined. He will miss Friday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, marking his seventh consecutive absence. The matchup, which doubles as the Magic’s second NBA Cup game, will test Orlando’s depth as they look to extend their four-game winning streak.</p><p>Before his injury, Carter Jr. was averaging 8.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game over six appearances. His scoring output is a career low, though his defensive presence and rebounding have remained consistent. The 24-year-old big man has shot 44.7% from the field this season while anchoring the Magic’s interior defense.</p><h2><b>Jamahl Mosley provides injury update for Wendell Carter Jr. ahead of Magic’s NBA Cup match vs. 76ers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wendell-Carter-Jr.-34-warms-up-before-the-game.jpg"><figcaption>© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Carter Jr.’s absence comes as the Magic navigate the challenges of maintaining momentum in a competitive Eastern Conference. At 7-6, the team has relied on standout performances from <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-franz-moritz-wagner-achieve-rare-nba-brothers-feat">Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner to offset injuries</a> to key players, including Carter Jr. and Paolo Banchero.</p><p>The Magic’s frontcourt rotation has adapted to the situation, with Goga Bitadze and Moritz Wagner filling the void at center. Despite Carter Jr.’s absence, the team has shown resilience on both ends of the floor, evident in their defensive dominance during a 113-89 win over the Charlotte Hornets earlier this week.</p><p>While Carter Jr.’s return remains uncertain, his recovery will be crucial for the Magic as they continue their push for consistency and depth throughout the season. The team faces the struggling 76ers (2-9) on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, aiming to secure another win in NBA Cup play.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wendell Carter Jr. ‘progressing slowly’ with no clear timetable for injury return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/magic-news-franz-wagner-jamahl-mosley-praise-goga-bitadze-role');   ga('set', 'title', 'Franz Wagner, Jamahl Mosley praise Goga Bitadze’s role with Wendell Carter Jr. sidelined');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Franz-Wagner-Jamahl-Mosley-praise-Goga-Bitadzes-role-with-Wendell-Carter-Jr.s-sidelined.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Franz Wagner, Jamahl Mosley praise Goga Bitadze’s role with Wendell Carter Jr. sidelined</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-09T12:57:45-08:00">November 9th, 12:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-09T12:57:45-08:00">November 9th, 12:57pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-anthony-black-reflects-on-growth-since-rookie-year">Orlando Magic snapped a five-game losing streak</a> on Friday night with a decisive 115-88 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-franz-wagner-paces-magic-in-win-against-pelicans">Franz Wagner led Orlando with a standout 27-point performance</a>, including 17 points in the first quarter, but it was center Goga Bitadze who drew praise for his impactful role filling in for Wendell Carter Jr., who remains sidelined indefinitely due to an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-jalen-suggs-gives-emotional-take-on-viral-wendell-carter-jr-moment">injury sustained against the Dallas Mavericks</a>.</p><p>Bitadze stepped into a starting role after Carter’s injury, marking a shift in his playing time and responsibilities. Bitadze’s recent contributions have proven instrumental to the Magic’s performance, as he provided stability in the paint and demonstrated a balanced approach on both ends of the floor. Against the Pelicans, Bitadze recorded 11 points, nine rebounds (five of which were offensive), three assists, two blocks, and a steal, shooting an efficient 5-for-6 from the field.</p><h2><b>Franz Wagner commends Goga Bitadze;s readiness and defensive amid Wendell Carter Jr.’s absence</b></h2><p>Wagner <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">acknowledged</a> Bitadze’s effort and preparation, commending the center’s ability to seamlessly transition into a larger role after limited early-season minutes.</p><p>“It’s not easy to do that – to not play that many minutes and then come in and play big minutes and in a lot of games,” Wagner stated. “I think it’s credit to his work and just staying ready. Goga, he’s done it in the past years already so I’m not surprised at all. I thought he did a great job the last couple of games… kind of creating extra opportunities for us and make it really difficult for someone attacking, he’s active around the basket especially defensively, I think sometimes he doesn’t get the credit that he deserves.”</p><p>Bitadze’s defensive activity and presence around the basket have been significant for Orlando. Wagner noted that his teammate’s consistent play has contributed to the team’s resilience, adding depth to the rotation and preparing the squad for the long NBA season.</p><p>“This whole situation is gonna help us down the road – everybody gets an opportunity and gets playing time and that’s what you need on a long season,” Franz Wagner said.</p><p>At the beginning of the season, Bitadze averaged just 5.6 minutes, 1.7 points, and 1.7 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field. However, since moving into the starting lineup, his production has significantly increased. Over the last three games, Bitadze has averaged 10.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal per game, shooting an impressive 62.5% from the field.</p><h2><b>Jamahl Mosley highlights Bitadze’s versatility in Magic’s win over Pelicans</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Goga-Bitadze-35-dunks-the-ball-over-New-Orleans-Pelicans-guard-Brandon-Boston-Jr.-11.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley also praised Bitadze’s defensive impact, noting the center’s ability to anchor the team with his <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">rim protection and facilitate offense</a> through smart play.</p><p>“His ability to protect the rim defensively, I think is a big key, his pick and roll coverages. He does a great job of communicating,” Mosley said. “And then offensively, you can play through him at times. We talked about how much we are cutting and moving off the basketball and I think he did a great job of facilitating a lot of that – the guys trust him there because they know he has a high basketball IQ and he knows exactly what we’re trying to accomplish.”</p><p>Goga Bitadze’s communication and court awareness have helped strengthen Orlando’s defensive schemes and kept the Magic competitive in Carter’s absence. His recent performances have highlighted his adaptability, showcasing a player capable of stepping up when needed and filling critical gaps for the team.</p><p>The Magic, now looking to build momentum after their recent win, will continue their five-game homestand with a matchup against the Washington Wizards on Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. ET. The Wizards enter Orlando on a three-game losing streak with a 2-5 record, providing the Magic with an opportunity to capitalize on home court and potentially extend their momentum despite navigating key injuries in their rotation.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
7.4	7.5	2.4	0.7	0.8

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
7.4	7.5	2.4	0.7	0.8

Wendell Carter

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