Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner Returns to Action
LONDON (AP) — Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner recently had the extraordinary opportunity to play an NBA game in his birthplace, Berlin, but he expressed his excitement about being in London as well. After a five-week recovery from a severe ankle sprain, Wagner made his return on Thursday, contributing to the Magic’s 118-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA’s inaugural regular-season game held in Germany.
Reflections on the Game
Reflecting on the experience, Wagner mentioned,
“I certainly felt some relief, though it was an incredibly enjoyable experience.”
Ahead of a rematch with the Grizzlies set for Sunday, he shared his thoughts on the pressure he felt to rejoin the team for the historic game.
“Throughout my rehabilitation, I was focused on that specific game. Simply being present and sharing that moment with my teammates made me really happy,”
he noted.
Challenges of Returning from Injury
Notably, Wagner’s brother, Moritz, who also is part of the Magic, has been navigating his own journey back from a significant knee injury. In the recent game, Franz posted an impressive 18 points along with nine rebounds, albeit with four turnovers. Acknowledging the challenges of returning from injury, he admitted,
“It’s common to feel a bit out of sync physically coming back; nothing can replicate the speed of actual NBA competition during rehab.”
Looking Ahead
Wagner concluded optimistically, saying,
“I feel good.”
Coach’s Plans
In a lighter moment, Magic’s head coach, Jamahl Mosley revealed his interest in attending a Premier League match this Saturday, where Chelsea will take on Brentford at Stamford Bridge.
“Some friends of mine are going to that game,”
Mosley mentioned, hinting at possibly wrapping up practice early to catch the match, although he emphasized that his primary focus remains preparing for the upcoming game against the Grizzlies.
