When star forward Paolo Banchero suffered an oblique injury, it seemed the Orlando Magic would sputter. However, Franz Wagner has prevented that from happening.
Wagner stayed hot on Wednesday night vs. the Philadelphia 76ers. The 23-year-old forward recorded 35 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block on 12-of-23 shooting from the field, leading Orlando to a 106-102 road victory.
The Magic (16-8) have won 13 of their last 15 games due in part to Wagner’s breakout.
Through his first 23 games, he has averaged career highs in points per game (23.7), rebounds per game (5.6) and assists per game (5.9). He’s also shooting 46.4% from the field, the second-highest mark of his career.
Unsurprisingly, the former Michigan Wolverine is an early candidate for Most Improved Player. As of Wednesday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives him the best odds to win the award (+165).
In a Wednesday roundtable, The Athletic’s Josh Robbins tabbed Wagner as his pick for Most Improved Player.
“As a wise NBA writer wrote 11 months ago, the most meaningful jump a player can make is the jump from good player to star player,” wrote Robbins. “That’s the jump Orlando’s Franz Wagner has made.”
The Magic are third in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics (18-4) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-3).
When Banchero returns to the lineup, he and Wagner should form a dynamic tandem, which should make Orlando even stronger. The Duke product averaged 29 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game and 5.6 assists per game in five games before suffering his injury.
In the meantime, expect Wagner to keep carrying the Magic and show why he may deserve to make his first All-Star Game.
