<!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', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-fires-back-lip-reading-wendell-carter-moment');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic’s Paolo Banchero fires back at lip-reading Wendell Carter moment');   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/2025/03/Magic-news-Paolo-Banchero-fires-back-at-lip-reading-Wendell-Carter-moment.jpg"></figure><h1>Magic’s Paolo Banchero fires back at lip-reading Wendell Carter moment</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-12T11:57:04-07:00">March 12th, 11:57am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-12T11:57:04-07:00">March 12th, 11:57am</time><address><a href="https://alexasabatte.wordpress.com">Alexa Sabatte</a>Alexa Sabatte is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a passionate sports writer dedicated to storytelling in the ever-evolving world of sports media. A graduate of NYU's American Journalism MA program, she has honed her skills at outlets like LAFB, ABC7 Los Angeles, and TMZ Sports, where her SEO expertise and interviews propelled stories to trend nationally.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero is firing back after a video posted by Brickscenter on X <a href="https://x.com/BricksCenter/status/1899493682006675486" rel="noopener">sparked controversy</a>. The video showed Banchero staring down Wendell Carter Jr. following an airballed three-pointer. The caption claimed Banchero mouthed, “W** they paying you for?” after the play.</p><p>The post quickly gained attention, sparking debates about the on-court dynamic between the two teammates. But Banchero didn’t let the claims slide. <a href="https://x.com/pp_doesit/status/1899885462799474752?s=46" rel="noopener">He responded directly on X</a>, calling out the video’s accuracy.</p><p>“I’m rocking with Dell, y’all went and pulled 2 clips from different points in the game smh,” Banchero wrote. “That’s not what was said either,” Banchero said.</p><p>Banchero’s response aimed to clear up the misunderstanding and defend his teammate. It’s clear from his reaction that the video didn’t capture the full context of the situation. The two have had a strong working relationship on the court, and Banchero wasn’t having the misinterpretation of their interactions.</p><p>While moments like these can spark tension or controversy, Banchero’s quick reply shows his commitment to setting the record straight. He made it clear that there was no ill will between him and Carter, despite what the video might have suggested. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-wendell-carter-jr-return-to-starting-lineup-boosts-orlando-in-win-vs-hawks">The two have been a core part of the Magic’s</a> young foundation, and their chemistry on the court has been key to the team’s development.</p><p>The back-and-forth between teammates is a normal part of the game. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-fans-go-off-wendell-carter-jr-move-loss-bulls">it’s essential to remember the context</a> and not jump to conclusions based on a couple of moments caught on camera. Misunderstandings happen, and the team will continue to grow and push forward.</p><p>As for Banchero, his words reflect his loyalty to Carter and his willingness to stand up for his team. Instead of letting a viral clip dictate the narrative, Banchero took the opportunity to share his side and move forward with confidence. It’s clear the Magic are focused on building team chemistry and ignoring distractions such as this.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic’s Paolo Banchero fires back at lip-reading Wendell Carter moment

<!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', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-wendell-carter-jr-return-to-starting-lineup-boosts-orlando-in-win-vs-hawks');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wendell Carter Jr.’s return to starting lineup boosts Magic in win vs. Hawks');   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/2025/02/Magic-news-bWendell-Carter-Jr-return-to-starting-lineup-boosts-Orlando-in-win-vs-Hawks.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Wendell Carter Jr.’s return to starting lineup boosts Magic in win vs. Hawks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-21T13:23:45-08:00">February 21st, 1:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-21T13:45:44-08:00">February 21st, 1:45pm</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">Atlanta Hawks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-18-point-quarter-sparks-orlando-comeback-vs-hawks">Orlando Magic opened the second half of their season with a 114-108 victory over the Atlanta Hawks</a> on Thursday night, improving to 28-29. Head coach Jamahl Mosley reinserted Wendell Carter Jr. into the starting lineup for the first time since the team’s win over the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 25, and the move paid dividends.</p><p>Carter Jr. contributed nine points, 15 rebounds, and one block while shooting 4-of-8 from the field. His presence in the paint provided stability on both ends of the floor, helping the Magic overcome an early deficit and maintain control in the second half.</p><p>Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while going 11-for-16 from the free-throw line. His <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-joins-shaquille-neal-tracy-mcgrady-epic-franchise-club">18-point outburst in the second quarter propelled the Magic</a> from a 19-point deficit to a 59-58 halftime lead.</p><p>Banchero credited Carter Jr.’s presence in the starting lineup for adding a much-needed boost to the team.</p><p>“He was great – just being a force down there, finishing around the rim, rebounding, contested shots at the rim, he changed a lot of shots down there,” Banchero said. “I mean he was huge, played tough, obviously he’s back home. I think it’s just a boost of energy for us having him back in the starting lineup – stuff feels like it fits so I’m just happy about that.”</p><h2><b>Jamahl Mosley reinserts Wendell Carter Jr. into Magic Starting 5</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Wendell-Carter-Jr.-34-shoots-against-the-Atlanta-Hawks.jpg"><figcaption>© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The decision to start Carter Jr. was part of Mosley’s effort to restore balance to the lineup while also creating more energy off the bench.</p><p>“Well, you know, we talked a little bit about it. Just getting our group back whole… And when we started the year, that was the starting lineup,” Mosley said. “Trying to find our way back into that moment and then also trying to find some energy off the bench with Goga [Bitadze] coming in, firing a little bit with defensive rebounds and play-making.</p><p>“All of those things, you’re trying to find different aspects of it. So, that’s part of the decision. But again, [Wendell] is going to do whatever’s asked of him because he’s a true professional and he’s a guy that cares about this team.”</p><p>Franz Wagner added 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Cole Anthony contributed 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block on 7-of-13 shooting.</p><p>The Magic will now return home for the second night of a back-to-back to face the Memphis Grizzlies (36-19) on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Grizzlies are coming off a 127-114 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.</p><p>The last time Orlando and Memphis faced off, the Grizzlies secured a 124-111 victory, with Franz Wagner scoring 23 points while Paolo Banchero struggled offensively, shooting 4-of-12 from the field and finishing with 16 points.</p><p>Orlando will look to build on its momentum as Carter Jr.’s return to the starting lineup continues to solidify the team’s interior presence.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wendell Carter Jr.’s return to starting lineup boosts Magic in win vs. Hawks

<!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>

Franz Wagner, Jamahl Mosley praise Goga Bitadze’s role with Wendell Carter Jr. sidelined

<!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-jalen-suggs-gives-emotional-take-on-viral-wendell-carter-jr-moment');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jalen Suggs gives emotional take on viral Wendell Carter Jr. moment');   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-Jalen-Suggs-gives-emotional-take-on-viral-Wendell-Carter-Jr.-moment.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Jalen Suggs gives emotional take on viral Wendell Carter Jr. moment</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-05T07:47:32-08:00">November 5th, 7:47am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-05T07:47:32-08:00">November 5th, 7:47am</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">Dallas Mavericks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs shared heartfelt words on Monday night about teammate <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-orlando-get-key-addition-amid-paolo-banchero-wendell-carter-jr-injury-concerns">Wendell Carter Jr., who missed the team’s latest matchup</a> due to a recent left foot plantar fascia strain. Carter, who suffered the injury during the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-franz-wagner-sends-risk-warning-to-wendell-carter-jr-after-injury">Magic’s 117-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks</a> on Sunday, became a focal point of a touching moment on the bench, where Suggs consoled him, highlighting the support and unity within the injury-plagued Magic squad.</p><p>Orlando’s season has been marred by an unfortunate string of injuries, with key players like <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-how-franz-wagner-must-improve-his-game-without-paolo-banchero">Paolo Banchero already sidelined for several weeks</a> and now Carter out for an indefinite period. The 3-5 Magic are grappling with the toll these setbacks have taken on their early campaign, adding to the team’s challenging five-game road stretch, which includes an upcoming rematch with the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.</p><h2><b>Jalen Suggs highlights emotional moment with Wendell Carter Jr. in loss to Mavs</b></h2><p>Suggs <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">reflected on his interaction</a> with Carter, noting the importance of reminding his teammate of his value beyond the court. Speaking to the media after Orlando’s 102-86 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, Suggs elaborated on the message he shared with Carter.</p><p>“How great of a human being he is, and that’s what I kept telling him,” Suggs stated. “I love you regardless of whether you’re hurt, whether you’re playing, whether you’re playing amazing, whether you’re playing bad. It doesn’t matter. This basketball thing – it’s our job, and naturally, others, fans, media put a lot of pressure on the players, and at the end of the day, it’s easy to forget that you’re a human being.”</p><p>Suggs continued, underscoring the dedication and resilience Carter has displayed, particularly throughout the offseason. He highlighted the efforts Carter made to prepare for the season, sacrificing time to work closely with the training staff and focusing on his health.</p><p>“He’s taking a ton of time sacrificing, going places to be around the training staff to put in the work to make his body healthy and be in a great space as the season starts… then things come up, and it just shows you that life is not perfect,” Suggs said. “I was just trying to remind him that he’s so loved, that he’s appreciated for what he does on the court, and most importantly off the court, he’s a great human being.”</p><h2><b>Suggs views Carter Jr.’s setback as growth opportunity amid Magic’s challenging start</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wendell-Carter-Jr.-34-and-Orlando-Magic-guard-Jalen-Suggs-4-talk-in-the-third-quarter.jpg"><figcaption>© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>This recent setback represents another test in Wendell Carter Jr.’s journey, Jalen Suggs expressed, adding that he believed it would ultimately make his teammate stronger. “This is just another trial that God is sending his way. Another part of his journey that he gets to learn from and come back even stronger, as he always has. Like I said, the moments always feel heavier than what they are in hindsight when you’re able to look back at it – just reminded him of that, keep his spirits high and remind him that he’s loved.”</p><p>The Magic’s depth has been severely tested with Carter’s absence, as they look to overcome the impact of multiple injuries in this young season. The team’s 3-5 record reflects the challenges they’ve faced without some of their core players, including Banchero, who remains out of the lineup for several weeks.</p><p>As of now, there is no clear timeline for Carter’s return, leaving Orlando to adapt and rely on other roster members to fill the gap in his absence. With Wednesday’s matchup against the 3-4 Pacers looming, the Magic will aim to end their taxing road trip on a high note, hoping for a boost when they eventually regain full strength.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jalen Suggs gives emotional take on viral Wendell Carter Jr. moment

<!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-orlando-get-key-addition-amid-paolo-banchero-wendell-carter-jr-injury-concerns');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic get key frontcourt addition amid Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr. injury concerns');   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-Orlando-gets-key-frontcourt-addition-amid-Paolo-Banchero-Wendell-Carter-Jr.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Magic get key frontcourt addition amid Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr. injury concerns</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-04T13:33:39-08:00">November 4th, 1:33pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-04T13:33:39-08:00">November 4th, 1:33pm</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">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Orlando Magic have <a href="https://x.com/therealbeede/status/1853512782051766556" rel="noopener">received a much-needed boost</a> to their frontcourt as they prepare to face the undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. According to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic have listed starting center Wendell Carter Jr. as out for the game due to a left foot plantar fascia strain. In a positive turn, backup center Goga Bitadze is set to return to the lineup after missing four consecutive games with a left foot tendon strain.</p><p>Bitadze’s availability comes at a critical time for the Magic, who are grappling with the absence of key players. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-franz-wagner-sends-risk-warning-to-wendell-carter-jr-after-injury">Wendell Carter Jr. sustained his injury</a> during the second quarter of Saturday’s 108-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. His absence leaves a significant gap in the frontcourt, especially with forward <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-how-franz-wagner-must-improve-his-game-without-paolo-banchero">Paolo Banchero already sidelined for several weeks</a> due to a torn right oblique reported last Friday.</p><p>Bitadze’s return is expected to provide stability and depth to the Magic’s rotation. Although his minutes have been limited this season — averaging just 5.7 minutes per game compared to 15.4 minutes across 62 games last year — Bitadze has proven his value in the past. Last season, he was instrumental as the starting center during a pivotal stretch when the Magic tied a franchise record winning nine consecutive games. During that period, Paolo Banchero was active, but with his current absence, the team will rely more heavily on players like Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs to shoulder the offensive load.</p><h2><b>Goga Bitadze’s return for Thunder matchup brings stability as Magic face crucial road challenges</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Goga-Bitadze-35-handles-the-ball-during-the-second-half-against-the-Memphis-Grizzlies.jpg"><figcaption>© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The 25-year-old Georgian center concluded last season with averages of five points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, while shooting an efficient 60.3% from the field. His solid performance earned him a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-why-goga-bitadze-feels-indebted-to-orlando-after-pacers-stint">three-year, $25 million contract with the Magic</a> during the offseason.</p><p>The Magic, now holding a 3-4 record, are eager to secure a win on Monday to avoid a third consecutive loss. The matchup against the 6-0 Thunder marks a challenging test as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-how-kentavious-caldwell-pope-is-helping-orlando-despite-slump">Orlando nears the end of a grueling five-game road trip</a>. Following the game in Oklahoma City, the Magic will head to Indiana for a rematch against the Pacers on Wednesday night, aiming to cap off the road stretch on a positive note.</p><p>With the frontcourt reshuffled due to injuries, Bitadze’s integration back into the lineup will be closely watched. His ability to contribute immediately could play a significant role in the Magic’s efforts to stay competitive in the absence of key starters. The team is hopeful that Bitadze can replicate the impact he had last season, providing a defensive anchor and efficient scoring around the rim.</p><p>As the Magic adjust to these roster changes, the focus remains on maintaining cohesion and resilience. Players like Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs are expected to take on increased responsibilities, both offensively and defensively. The upcoming games present an opportunity for the Magic to demonstrate their depth and determination. Bitadze’s return offers a timely reinforcement, and his performance could be a deciding factor in the team’s ability to overcome the current injury setbacks.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic get key frontcourt addition amid Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr. injury concerns

<!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-sends-risk-warning-to-wendell-carter-jr-after-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Franz Wagner sends ‘risk’ warning to Wendell Carter Jr. after injury');   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-sends-%E2%80%98risk-warning-to-Wendell-Carter-Jr-after-injury.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Franz Wagner sends ‘risk’ warning to Wendell Carter Jr. after injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-04T09:23:37-08:00">November 4th, 9:23am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-04T09:23:37-08:00">November 4th, 9:23am</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">Dallas Mavericks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In another setback for the Orlando Magic, starting center Wendell Carter Jr. exited Friday night’s 108-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks with a left plantar fascia strain. The injury occurred during the second quarter, dealing a significant blow to an already short-handed <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-jamahl-mosley-calls-jalen-suggs-franz-wagner-to-step-up-amid-paolo-banchero-absence">Magic team that is missing Paolo Banchero</a> for several weeks. Carter Jr., who had previously been <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-jamahl-mosley-provides-update-on-wendell-carter-jr-status">ruled out of the Cleveland Cavaliers game</a> due to right knee tendinitis, played just nine minutes against Dallas, posting six points, two assists, and two steals before he was forced off the court.</p><p>The injury happened as Carter Jr. attempted to intercept a lob pass from Mavericks star Luka Doncic to Daniel Gafford. After making an aggressive leap, he landed awkwardly on his left foot, limping toward the bench. The 25-year-old was visibly distressed, sharing an emotional moment on the sideline as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magics-wendell-carter-jr-caught-sharing-heartbreaking-moment-with-jalen-suggs-after-injury">teammate Jalen Suggs comforted him</a>. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon <a href="https://x.com/espn_macmahon/status/1853254021047341474" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> Carter Jr.’s diagnosis, noting that he sustained a left plantar fascia strain. Based on the nature of his injury, his availability for upcoming games appears uncertain.</p><h2><b>Franz Wagner, head coach Jamahl Mosley emphasize health priority as Wendell Carter Jr. battles injury setback</b></h2><p>Franz Wagner addressed Carter Jr.’s injury post-game, <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">stressing the importance</a> of prioritizing health over pushing through pain.</p><p>“We appreciate every second that we get from him out there, but I think the most important thing, especially in a long season, is that everybody’s healthy,” Wagner said. “I think if you can’t go, then it doesn’t make sense to risk anything out there. It speaks a lot to his character that he tried to play, but on to the next one tomorrow, and [it] gives other guys an opportunity to play as well.”</p><p>Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley also praised Carter Jr.’s commitment to the team despite his injuries. Mosley highlighted Carter Jr.’s willingness to play through pain as a testament to his dedication.</p><p>“This guy battles as much as he can every night to try to play, and that took his toll,” Mosley said. “He wants to be out there fighting with his guys.”</p><p>Carter Jr. has been a reliable presence in the Magic’s starting lineup this season, averaging 8.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His absence leaves the team with limited options in the frontcourt as they approach the final stretch of a five-game road trip, including a matchup against the undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.</p><h2><b>Magic’s frontcourt depth tested as injuries complicate rotations</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wendell-Carter-Jr-34-warms-up-before-the-game-between-the-Dallas-Mavericks-and-Orlando-Magic.jpg"><figcaption>© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Adding to the Magic’s challenges, backup center Goga Bitadze has been dealing with a strained tendon in his left foot, further complicating the team’s rotation. The injury to Bitadze leaves head coach Mosley with few healthy options, increasing the likelihood that Moritz Wagner will see additional playing time to help fill the void left by Carter Jr.</p><p>The timing of Carter Jr.’s injury is particularly challenging, as the team seeks to build momentum in the early stages of the season. Losing two starters in Banchero and Carter Jr., along with Bitadze’s limited availability, strains Orlando’s depth and complicates Mosley’s rotation plans.</p><p>The team will monitor Wendell Carter Jr.’s injury status closely and expects to provide further updates before Monday’s game in Oklahoma City. Given Franz Wagner’s remarks, the Orlando Magic seem likely to prioritize their players’ long-term health, avoiding unnecessary risks as they navigate the demanding season ahead.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Franz Wagner sends ‘risk’ warning to Wendell Carter Jr. after injury

<!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', '/magics-wendell-carter-jr-caught-sharing-heartbreaking-moment-with-jalen-suggs-after-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. caught sharing heartbreaking moment with Jalen Suggs after injury');   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/THUMB-08_e65fae.jpg"></figure><h1>Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. caught sharing heartbreaking moment with Jalen Suggs after injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-04T08:13:05-08:00">November 4th, 8:13am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-04T08:13:05-08:00">November 4th, 8:13am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With Paolo Banchero already set to miss over a month <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-paolo-banchero-out-several-weeks-after-brutal-injury-diagnosis">due to an oblique injury</a>, the last thing the Orlando Magic needed was an injury to another key player. However, compounding matters for them was the fact that Carter suffered a left plantar fascia strain that limited him to just nine minutes of game time in Orlando’s 108-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.</p><p>Injuries have come to define Carter’s career, and he hasn’t quite put together a consistent run of healthy seasons ever since he entered the league in 2018. And it seems to be taking a toll emotionally on the Magic center, as he was seen on the bench covering his face with a towel as he let loose some tears — with teammate Jalen Suggs by his side to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB7ngIYPeHE/?igsh=MXFmdDUwYWY5YnhnbQ%3D%3D&amp;img_index=2" rel="noopener">give him a warm embrace</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB7ngIYPeHE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading"><div style="padding: 16px;"><p> </p><div style="display: flex;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div><div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p> </p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB7ngIYPeHE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" rel="noopener" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by SportsCenter (@sportscenter)</a></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>This reaction from Carter does not bode well for his playing status in the immediate future. Moreover, he didn’t sustain the injury through physical contact; rather, he seemed to put more force on his left foot than it could take, straining his plantar fascia in the process. The Magic center seemed to know how serious it was in the immediate aftermath of the play, as he was seen with a look of despondence before heading to the bench, where he could no longer contain his emotions.</p><p>Carter has never played in more than 62 games in a season for his career; in fact, he has missed an average of around 28 games since entering the association. The fewest number of games he’s missed in a season is 18, back in the 2020-21 season, and now, he is in danger of missing serious time for an already-shorthanded Magic team.</p><p>Carter had already dealt with a sprained ankle during the preseason as well as a sore knee that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-jamahl-mosley-provides-update-on-wendell-carter-jr-status">kept him out of the Magic’s 120-109 loss</a> to the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 1. Now, he could be headed for an extended absence as his foot heals.</p><h2><b>Can the Magic survive injury-riddled start to the season?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMAGN-12_e61983.jpg"></figure><p>It is early days in the 2024-25 season, but the next few weeks could already prove to be a season-defining stretch for the Magic. Without Paolo Banchero, the Magic were already on the backfoot, having lost their past two games by double digits without their best player. Now, they are staring at the possibility of being without their starting center for the long haul, which will test Orlando’s mettle.</p><p>Moe Wagner should be the one to step into the Magic’s starting lineup if Carter were to miss time; Goga Bitadze, Orlando’s other center option, is dealing with an injury of his own as well. But it’s on the offensive end that the Magic will be desperately searching for answers in the next few weeks.</p><p>Their offense was horrendous on Sunday night, mustering just 85 points on 33.3 percent shooting from the field. Franz Wagner will have to step up big time, and as the proud owner of a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-franz-wagner-224-million-contract-extension">five-year, $224 million contract</a>, he should be more than up to the task as Orlando aims to remain afloat amid their injury woes.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. caught sharing heartbreaking moment with Jalen Suggs after injury

<!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-jamahl-mosley-provides-update-on-wendell-carter-jr-status');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jamahl Mosley provides update on Wendell Carter Jr.’s status');   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/Jamahl-Mosley-provides-update-on-Wendell-Carter-Jrs-status.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Jamahl Mosley provides update on Wendell Carter Jr.’s status</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-02T11:29:29-07:00">November 2nd, 11:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-02T11:29:29-07:00">November 2nd, 11:29am</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">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley gave an update on Wendell Carter Jr.’s status after the team ruled him out with tendinitis in his right knee prior to their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. The Magic, already adjusting to the absence of star forward Paolo Banchero, faced a further setback with Carter Jr. sidelined. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-jamahl-mosley-calls-jalen-suggs-franz-wagner-to-step-up-amid-paolo-banchero-absence">120-109 loss to the Cavaliers dropped the Magic</a> to a 3-3 record, with several players stepping up in an attempt to fill the void.</p><p>With Carter Jr. out, Mosley opted to start Moritz Wagner in his place. The team showed resilience despite the thin lineup, highlighted by Jalen Suggs, who scored a career-high 28 points, and rookie <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-tristan-da-silva-impresses-jalen-suggs-jamahl-mosley-vs-cavs">Tristan da Silva, who impressed off the bench</a> with 17 points. The absence of Carter Jr., however, proved to be a challenge, as he has been a key contributor, averaging 10.4 rebounds and 8.8 points per game this season.</p><p>Following the game, Jamahl Mosley <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">provided insight</a> into Carter Jr.’s condition, emphasizing the importance of monitoring his progress in the coming days.</p><p>“We’re gonna see. I think we’re just gonna have to evaluate him as we get to Dallas and see where we go from there,” Mosley said postgame.</p><h2><b>Wendell Carter Jr.’s status is uncertain as Magic prepare for Mavs</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wendell-Carter-Jr-34-grabs-a-rebound-against-the-Miami-Heat.jpg"><figcaption>© Jim Rassol-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The update left Carter Jr.’s availability for upcoming games uncertain as the Magic continue their five-game road trip. As they prepare for a Sunday night matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Mosley and his coaching staff will assess Carter Jr.’s recovery to determine his potential return to the lineup. The Magic will need to rely on players like Wagner, Suggs, and da Silva to continue stepping up in the meantime.</p><p>The road trip has already tested Orlando’s depth and adaptability, especially with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-paolo-banchero-out-several-weeks-after-brutal-injury-diagnosis">Paolo Banchero expected to miss several weeks</a>. Wendell Carter Jr.’s absence adds to the challenge, leaving the Magic without two of their starters. With three games remaining on the road stretch, the Magic aim to remain competitive and build momentum despite their roster setbacks.</p><p>The Magic’s matchup against the Mavericks on Sunday will offer another opportunity for the team to demonstrate their resilience as they await Carter Jr.’s return to action.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jamahl Mosley provides update on Wendell Carter Jr.’s status

<!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-jamahl-mosley-highlights-anthony-black-wendell-carter-jr-role');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jamahl Mosley highlights Anthony Black’s growth, Wendell Carter Jr.’s vital role');   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/2024/10/0amahl-Mosley-highlights-Anthony-Blacks-growth-Wendell-Carter-Jr.s-vital-role0.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Jamahl Mosley highlights Anthony Black’s growth, Wendell Carter Jr.’s vital role</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-26T12:30:27-07:00">October 26th, 12:30pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-26T12:30:27-07:00">October 26th, 12:30pm</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-franz-wagner-gets-real-on-orlando-win-vs-nets">Orlando Magic improved to a 2-0 record</a> following a convincing 116-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night at the KIA Center. Head coach Jamahl Mosley praised the performances of sophomore Anthony Black and veteran Wendell Carter Jr., both of whom played crucial roles in the win.</p><p>Mosley emphasized Black’s development as a player, noting the significant strides he has made since his rookie season. “Anthony Black has been great. He was in the gym all summer constantly working with all of our coaches. We saw what he did in summer league, and he took it to heart when he steps in between those lines. He’s the ultimate competitor,” Mosley said.</p><h2><b>Anthony Black shines in expanded role, showing poise and versatility off the bench</b></h2><p>Black demonstrated his growth on the court during the game against the Nets, logging 26 minutes and contributing 10 points, five assists, three rebounds, and two blocks. His performance included a notable plus/minus of +13. Most strikingly, Black appeared more poised and controlled the tempo effectively off the bench, especially as he steps into a larger role in his second season. With Markelle Fultz sidelined, Black is averaging 27 minutes per game this season, a significant increase from the 16.9 minutes per game he averaged during his rookie campaign.</p><p>Jamahl Mosley <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">highlighted</a> Black’s multifaceted skill set, stating, “His ability to defend the right way, his length, his IQ, and then offensively, his ability to push the break consistently as well as lead that group and get us settled down at the right time.”</p><p>The Magic’s offense benefited from Black’s improved playmaking and defensive contributions. His ability to read the game and respond effectively allowed the team to maintain momentum and execute plays under pressure. This development is crucial as the Magic aim to establish themselves as a formidable force in the Eastern Conference.</p><h2><b>Wendell Carter Jr. solidifies role as defensive anchor, earning praise from Jamahl Mosley</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Wendell-Carter-Jr.-34-defends-Brooklyn-Nets-guard-Cam-Thomas.jpg"><figcaption>© Mike Watters-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Carter Jr. also received accolades from Mosley for his indispensable role within the team. Earlier this month, he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-wendell-carter-jr-agrees-to-massive-extension-with-orlando">secured a three-year, $59 million contract extension</a>, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his contributions. “I just said it to the coaches in the locker room when I walked out. I said he is so incredible and important to this team. He didn’t have to score a point, but he was guarding Ben Simmons for the majority of the night, and I think he did a fantastic job,” Mosley remarked.</p><p>In the game against the Nets, Carter Jr. recorded eight points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals, along with a plus/minus of +11. His impact went beyond the box score; his physical presence on the floor was instrumental in disrupting the Nets’ offense and establishing the Magic’s defensive identity.</p><p>Mosley further elaborated on Carter Jr.’s contributions, noting, “It’s all the other stuff. His physical presence down there, his ability to run the floor, get to the right position, and he does it without a complaint. He is so important to this team and how we play and what we need to do moving forward.”</p><h2><b>Magic combine youth and experience for promising start to 2024-25 season</b></h2><p>The Magic’s early-season success hinges on the development of young talents like Black and the leadership of veterans like Carter Jr. Their performances against the Nets reflect the team’s growth and potential as they aim for a successful campaign in the 2024-25 season. With Mosley at the helm, the Magic appear to be on the right track, combining youthful energy with veteran experience to create a balanced and competitive roster.</p><p>As the season progresses, the Orlando Magic will look to build on this early success and continue developing their players, especially Anthony Black, while relying on the vital contributions of Wendell Carter Jr. The synergy between these two players could play a significant role in the team’s aspirations for a strong postseason run.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jamahl Mosley highlights Anthony Black’s growth, Wendell Carter Jr.’s vital role

<!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-agrees-to-massive-extension-with-orlando');   ga('set', 'title', 'Wendell Carter Jr. agrees to massive extension with Magic');   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/2024/10/Magic-news-Wendell-Carter-Jr.jpg"></figure><h1>Wendell Carter Jr. agrees to massive extension with Magic</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-07T19:19:37-07:00">October 7th, 7:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-07T19:49:59-07:00">October 7th, 7:49pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/orlando-magic-bold-predictions-after-2024-25-season-schedule-release">Orlando Magic are continuing on</a> in their path to sustained playoff contention. On Monday night, the Magic kept a member of their starting lineup for the long haul after <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1843471418031272343" rel="noopener">coming to terms</a> to a three-year, $59 million extension with Wendell Carter Jr., per Shams Charania of ESPN.</p><p>Carter still had two years left on his existing deal; he was set to make a total of around $22.7 million until the 2025-26 season, but his new contract with the Magic now takes his total salary to $82 million over the next five seasons.</p><p>This was the maximum amount that Carter could have signed in a three-year extension with the Magic as per the CBA rules, and now, Orlando has its starting center under contract until his age-29 season.</p><p>However, there is a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-wendell-carter-jr-suffers-concerning-leg-injury-preseason-vs-pelicans">bit of injury concern</a> surrounding Carter following the Magic’s latest preseason contest — a 106-104 defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans. In the third quarter, Carter appeared to roll his ankle after contesting a shot from Daniel Theis, and he crumbled to the ground shortly after feeling the impact.</p><p>If there is anything Carter has struggled with throughout his career, it’s staying healthy. He has missed at least 20 games in his six seasons thus far in the NBA, and over the past three campaigns, he has been absent for an average of 24 games. Given his shaky injury history, it was astute for him to secure a long-term deal with the Magic.</p><p>For the Magic, Carter is a valuable piece of the roster they’re building. From a skillset standpoint, Carter is the ideal frontcourt partner for Paolo Banchero. The 25-year-old big man’s biggest asset on offense is his ability to space the floor. Last season, he shot 37.4 percent from beyond the arc on 3.1 attempts per game, a major boon for the spacing of one of the lowest-volume three-point shooting teams in the NBA.</p><p>The Magic have emphasized skilled size in their roster-building philosophy, which makes Carter’s contract a bargain if he manages to stay healthy. That is a major if, however.</p><h2>Magic boast arguably the league’s best center rotation</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orlando-Magic-center-Wendell-Carter-Jr.-34-dunks-the-ball-against-Los-Angeles-Lakers.jpg"></figure><p>When healthy, Wendell Carter Jr. figures to remain as the Magic’s starting center. He may not be the flashiest starting center in the NBA, but he is as good of a complement the Magic have on their roster to their more ball-dominant forwards in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Even then, there is no pressure for the Magic to rush Carter back after his latest ankle injury, as Orlando boasts arguably the league’s best center rotation.</p><p>Behind Carter in the rotation are two centers who can make a case for a larger role elsewhere. Moe Wagner and Goga Bitadze can do more than just <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-biggest-mistake-in-2024-nba-free-agency">hold down the fort for the Magic</a>, and they have them under contract for multiple seasons. The Magic also have the roster versatility to trout out Banchero or Jonathan Isaac at the five if the need to do so ever arises.</p><p>The best part of this is that the Magic’s centers each provide a different dimension to the team whenever they’re on the court. Carter is a floor-spacer, Wagner has evolved into more than a hustle guy who gets under the opponents’ skin (he is a dangerous roll-man who can make the occasional three-ball), while Bitadze is the best rim-protecting option among the three.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Wendell Carter Jr. agrees to massive extension with Magic

<!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-suffers-concerning-leg-injury-preseason-vs-pelicans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. suffers concerning leg injury in preseason vs. Pelicans');   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/2024/10/Magic-news-Wendell-Carter-Jr.-suffers-concerning-leg-injury-in-preseason-vs.jpg"></figure><h1>Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. suffers concerning leg injury in preseason vs. Pelicans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-07T12:20:04-07:00">October 7th, 12:20pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-07T14:58:08-07:00">October 7th, 2:58pm</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Orlando Magic big man Wendell Carter Jr. appeared to suffer a lower left-leg injury on Monday afternoon in the team’s preseason opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. After contesting a midrange jump shot from Pelicans new addition Daniel Theis, Carter came down awkwardly and appeared to twist his ankle on the Pelicans big man’s foot.</p><p>Carter went down to the ground in obvious pain and rolled over to his back before being helped to his feet and off the court. After throwing his headband in frustration, Carter was led down the Magic’s tunnel towards the locker room before yelling an explicit word in anger.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wendell Carter Jr. went down with an ankle injury in the Magic’s preseason game vs. the Pelicans.</p><p>Hope he’s alright 🙏 </p><p> <a href="https://t.co/DyvdPLlLew">pic.twitter.com/DyvdPLlLew</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1843375411365065051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Magic said shortly after that Carter <a href="https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/1843374469634744759" rel="noopener">suffered</a> a sprained left ankle and would not return to Monday’s contest.</p><p>After playing in only 55 games last season due to various injuries, Carter made it his goal to remain healthy and available for the Magic heading into the 2024-25 season.</p><p>Unfortunately, he is already off to a bad start after having to leave Monday’s preseason opener against the Pelicans. It is worth noting that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-get-tough-wendell-carter-jr-injury-update-after-playoff-exit">Carter underwent hand surgery</a> once the team was eliminated from the playoffs.</p><p>In a total of 196 regular-season games with Orlando since joining the organization during the 2020-21 season, Carter has averaged 13.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the floor. Although numerous teams have inquired about his trade availability through the years, the Magic have been unwilling to deal the former seventh-overall pick.</p><p>Despite his scoring and productivity taking a hit last season due to injuries, Carter still managed to shoot 37.4 percent from three-point range, showcasing his versatility on the offensive side of the basketball.</p><p>The 2023-24 season proved to be one of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/magic-news-paolo-banchero-franz-wagners-awesome-takes-on-historic-playoff-feat-with-jalen-suggs">best years the Magic have had in quite some time</a>. This franchise won 47 games and came within one win of advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2010 when Dwight Howard took the Magic to the Eastern Conference Finals.</p><p>Next to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Carter is an instrumental part of the Magic’s success. Should Carter be forced to miss time on the court due to this injury he suffered on Monday, Orlando will lean on Goga Bitadze and Moritz Wagner, two players who stepped up when Carter was dealing with injuries last season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>