Orlando Magic DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (ankle) has been downgraded from questionable to out for Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Friday's matchup will rise the tally to an eighth straight absence for Wagner with a sprained right ankle, but head coach Jamahl Mosley expected the former first-rounder to be back "sooner than later" as of Wednesday. Wagner has not resumed contact work, however, and the Magic will continue to evaluate him on a day-to-day basis. The 22-year-old German wing aims to suit back up during Sunday's Southeast Division battle against the Miami Heat. Caleb Houstan is trending down despite his regular inclusion in Orlando's starting group with Wagner sidelined, but Chuma Okeke is worth a look in deep fantasy leagues for his ability to chip in across the board and stabilize each category.

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (ankle) will remain sidelined for the seventh game in a row on Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks. A sprained right ankle suffered on Jan. 3 continues to keep Wagner out, and it remains unclear if he is practicing in any capacity. The versatile Wagner hopes to return when Orlando returns from a four-game road trip on Friday versus the Philadelphia 76ers. With Gary Harris (calf) joining Wagner on the shelf, Chuma Okeke is a candidate to stay in head coach Jamahl Mosley's starting lineup alongside Caleb Houstan on Wednesday. Since neither forward has particularly benefitted from Wagner's absence, the Magic will continue to lean on Paolo Banchero as their top playmaker and creator. Over Banchero's last seven games since Jan. 7, the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year is collecting 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.9 three-pointers in 38.7 minutes per contest.

Denver Nuggets guard/forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (back/neck) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's battle with Philadelphia. He continues to deal with a cervicothoracic strain. The questionable tag leaves his status up in the air, but Caldwell-Pope has played in 14 consecutive games, and the injury doesn't appear to have affected him much. The veteran has scored double-digit points in four straight games while also racking up 10 steals.

Orlando Magic guard/forward Franz Wagner (ankle) will miss a sixth game in a row Monday versus the Knicks. He continues to deal with a right ankle sprain suffered on Jan. 3 in a game against Sacramento. Wagner's injury has helped Chuma Okeke and Caleb Houstan break into the starting five. Both players have had a couple of good performances, but they remain risky choices for fantasy managers.

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (ankle) remains sidelined for Saturday's game versus OKC. The third-year man out of Michigan has played well this season, averaging 20.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, the highest marks of his career. However, he suffered a sprained ankle in the January 3 meeting with the Golden State Warriors, meaning he'll be sidelined for a fifth consecutive game on Saturday night. With Markelle Fultz (knee), Wendell Carter Jr. (knee), Gary Harris (calf), and Joe Ingles (ankle) unavailable, the door is open for others to benefit. Of course, Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Cole Anthony should remain the team's top-scoring contributors. Yet, Moritz Wagner, Chuma Okeke, and Caleb Houstan, averaging 14.0 points as a starter this season, are worth streaming in all fantasy formats.