Franz Wagner Injury Update, Status for Game 5 vs. Pistons as Magic Look to Make NBA History

As the Orlando Magic look to become the fifth eighth seed to beat a No. 1 seed in the NBA playoffs since the first round expanded to a best-of-seven format, Franz Wagner will not be part of the effort.

Paolo Banchero previously told reporters Wednesday morning that the team "isn't expecting" Wagner to be available, with Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reporting he did not take part in Orlando's shootaround.

On Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wagner had been diagnosed with a strained right calf.

Wagner was removed in the third quarter of Orlando's 94-88 win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 on Monday night. He finished with 19 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists.

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Speaking to reporters after the game, Wagner said the calf started to bother him about one minute before he was subbed out.

Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley turned to Jamal Cain as Wagner's replacement in the fourth quarter. The move worked out spectacularly, with Cain putting up four points, six rebounds and a poster dunk of Jalen Duren.

Wagner dealt with a sprained ankle suffered in a Dec. 7 game against the New York Knicks that lingered throughout the remainder of the regular season. His 34 starts were a career-low.

With Wagner out in Game 5, it puts a heavy burden on an offense that has been struggling to score even with him. They are shooting just 38.7 percent overall, 31.3 percent from three and have been held under 100 points twice in four games.

Despite their offensive issues, the Magic carry a 3-1 series lead into Wednesday's Game 5 because they are making life difficult for Detroit's offense. The Pistons are shooting just 27.5 percent from three.

Cain's physicality and performance in Game 4 might make him the first choice to move into the starting lineup if Wagner can't go. Mosley could also turn to Anthony Black or Tristan Da Silva because they have shown flashes of shooting prowess.

If the Magic win Game 5, they will become the first No. 8 seed to win a first-round series since the Miami Heat in 2023. It will also be Orlando's first playoff series victory since the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Magic and Pistons will play Game 5 in Detroit on tonight at 7 p.m. ET.