The Orlando Magic star who will miss Game 7 against the Cavs

Orlando Magic will face the seventh game against Detroit Pistons in the 2026 NBA Playoffs with a major issue: they will be without Franz Wagner. The German forward has been ruled out again by the Florida franchise due to a strain in his right calf.

It will be his third consecutive absence since he suffered the injury in the third quarter of the fourth game of the series against the Detroit Pistons.

Wagner's absence has coincided with a drastic change in the series' dynamics. Without him on the court, Orlando has suffered two consecutive losses, a situation that has allowed Detroit to tie the series and force the seventh game.

The impact is not only on the offensive end: his absence is particularly noticeable on the defensive side of the court.

Cunningham changes the script

During the first four games, with Wagner as the main defender, Cade Cunningham had immense difficulties producing. In that stretch, he only accumulated 17 points, with a poor 6 of 24 in field goals, including 3 of 16 from beyond the arc, along with six turnovers.

The scenario has completely changed in the last two games, coinciding with the absence of the German. Cunningham has surged to averaging 38.5 points, with a 50% field goal percentage and a notable 58% from the three-point line.

Missing production

Before the injury, Wagner was putting up a very complete series, with averages of 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.

Numbers that the Magic will now have to try to replace on a night where there is no room for error.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La estrella de Orlando Magic que se perderá el Game 7 contra los Cavs