ORLANDO – When the Orlando Magic learned last week that All-Star forward Paolo Banchero’s right oblique tear would cause a possible months-long absence, they didn’t just lose their top option. They lost their leader.

Orlando, like every other team, is adopting a “next man up” mentality. But the effects on the psyche of a group that is not used to living without its best player cannot be denied. That was proven when the Magic lost four straight games before taking down the Pelicans on Friday night.

“It’s always a matter of perspective,” Magic forward Moritz Wagner said Friday night. “When that happens, first of all, I feel sad for the player. That’s the most important point for me. There’s a human side to this. This is our life, so when you hear that you’re going to be out for five weeks or whatever Wow, that just sucks.”

Wagner said seeing his best player handle the situation the way Banchero has, staying engaged and adopting a positive attitude, is a big help. But “that doesn’t give us an excuse.”

The Magic still need to get results if they want to be in shape when Banchero returns. So far, after five games, the new name at the top of opponent scouting reports is Moe’s brother, Franz Wagner.

As he has taken on more offensive responsibility, he is naturally receiving more attention from opposing defenses.

“We’ve talked about Franz, one, his competitiveness, but the other side is his IQ,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “He’s seen it. Our coaches do a great job watching film with him. There were several times last year (where) he was double-teamed, so he knows the right read to make the right play. He’s drawing two, trying to find the right opening in the defense.

“I think the more you see it, the more you’ll recognize it and make the right play as time goes on.”

In Friday’s win over the Pelicans, Wagner set the tone early by getting to the basket and scoring 17 points in the first quarter. Playing around the rim is in the Magic’s DNA (guard Anthony Black said that’s where Orlando is most comfortable making plays), but Franz was intentional with his aggression.

He led all scorers with 27 points, following a 28-point effort on Wednesday. Orlando split the results of the two contests, but the signs from Wagner are clear: He’s comfortable in the Magic’s lead role while his running mate is sidelined.

“It’s no secret that’s our guy right now,” Black said. “Getting him going is important for us, not just for (Friday) but for the future. We’re telling him to keep being aggressive, keep shooting the ball and get to the rim. Just be yourself and let us play with you.” . “It’s definitely good that he’s gone, and we need to keep him that way.”

Before Banchero left, Wagner was scoring 17.8 points on 12.8 shot attempts per game. Each night, an average of 3.8 points was scored with 4.6 shots to the basket. Overall, his usage rate was 25.7; on par with his career-best mark of 25.0 in the 2023-24 season.

But in the five games since then, he is averaging 21.4 points on 18.4 field goal attempts. Now, he drives to the basket an average of 17.2 times per game and scores 10.2 points. His usage rate during that span is 31.8, higher than Banchero’s 31.1 before his injury.

“It’s definitely a little change of mentality,” Franz said after the match. “I think everyone has to have a little bit of that with P out, knowing there are more opportunities for guys, and it’s no different for me. I think I had a good mentality coming into both games, whether I ended up scoring or impacting”. the game in other ways.”

“He’s a great competitor,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “He’ll do whatever it takes, whatever it takes to try to put this team on his back and find a way to get a win. He continues to play the right way and I think that’s very important. We ask him to be aggressive.” . “Make the right plays and he’s trying to do that. That’s what we have to keep asking of him every night.”

There is no definitive timetable for Banchero’s return. Meanwhile, Wagner has shown the ability to lead off the bench.

Victory finally came on Friday night after four previous failures. For the first time in a week, the Magic felt like they had to smile.

“He’s a very important player for us and it makes me happy when he smiles,” Moe said of his brother. “Sometimes he gets a little moody.”

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