Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley didn’t think much of it as coaches worked on Franz Wagner on the sideline during the second half of Friday’s game in Philadelphia. It’s not uncommon for players to see a tweak or something during a game. Even Franz Wagner said that this is the time of year when players start to feel the little bumps and nicks that occur as the season progresses.

Injuries are part of the game. Only a few players take part in all 82 games.

But it was impossible not to break everyone’s hearts when the news broke.

Franz Wagner suffered a torn right oblique bone, the same rare basketball injury that Paolo Banchero suffered in late October, and is slowly recovering from it. Wagner is out indefinitely and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

The first place the team needs to be is to mourn. It must be sad and frustrating for Wagner to have all of his hard work and accomplishments temporarily put on hold. Everyone needed to take a moment to mourn and sympathize with Wagner as he prepared for the long road to his return.

For much of Saturday, it felt like the world around the Magic was collapsing. Their brilliant start ended abruptly. Wagner’s start came to a screeching halt.

Everyone needed a moment to process everything and get past those periods of frustration and sadness.

And then everyone had to start moving forward. There was a game on Sunday evening. And Wagner’s season is far from over.

“You go through certain phases when you get bad news,” Wagner said before Sunday’s game. “I did that yesterday. I was frustrated yesterday. I thought today was just about looking at the positive in it and also thinking about how we’re doing as a team and myself and seeing what the next steps are. Talk to these guys, I thought. “It was really cool to have all the support that I got from everyone. Obviously it’s not ideal.

One star is missing

It’s obviously not ideal. The Orlando Magic are losing their best player since Paolo Banchero’s injury, and Banchero will likely be out for a few more weeks upon his return from an oblique tear – he’s still doing light work and movement on the court, according to Mosley.

Franz Wagner averages 24.4 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game and 5.7 assists per game. Since Banchero’s injury, he has been the dominant force in the Magic’s offense, averaging 26.1 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game and 6.3 assists per game.

Any concerns about Wagner taking over the lead role in games were put aside as the Magic went 13-7 in their last 20 games without Banchero and remained in third place in the Eastern Conference. Wagner scored 30 or more points in eight games, surpassing his single-season total from last season by a week past the season’s quarter mark.

Wagner was ready for his first All-Star Game.

“It’s extremely tough for him,” Jamahl Mosley said before Sunday’s game. “It breaks the boys’ hearts how hard they work. You know the goals they have, you know exactly what they are doing to put themselves in the best position to succeed, and what they are doing for the team. That’s where it’s hard. This is a well-coordinated group because of what he did, the preparation, the work and the way he played.

It feels like everything is collapsing around her. But Wagner said there was no one to blame. Injuries happen and the team has to see the positive in it. It has to find a way to move forward.

Orlando remains third in the Eastern Conference. And even with a more difficult schedule ahead, many games are taking place at home. There may be an adjustment period without the two star players, but the Magic will settle in. They will find their way to play.

Prepared by the committee

Jamahl Mosley hopes his team is prepared. After all, after Paolo Banchero’s injury, they rallied to maintain their spot in the Eastern Conference.

Mosley preaches so often that he plays on the committee. This is a test of team culture.

“I think it really comes down to being able to live the things you speak,” Mosley said before Sunday’s game. “In this group they always say: “Next man on top” and “Committee”. This is the true version of it. These are people who go down with unique situations and unique circumstances. This just goes to show that you always have to be ready. You never do that.” You know, there are 82 games in a season and you never know what’s going to happen, you’re focused and ready, your skills are on full display every time something happens in the season.

No one will feel sorry for this Orlando Magic team. And magic can’t feel sorry for itself either. The games continue and the players have to improve. They must continue to live up to their standards and that will not change.

Even though Wagner is one of the best defenders on the team, Orlando is still one of the best defensive teams in the league, ranking third in defensive rating. The Magic continue to expect to defend at a high level.

This will be the core of the team’s ability to find and sustain success. Everyone sees that.

The Magic have several players that need to step up, from Jalen Suggs taking on a larger offensive role to players like Jett Howard or Cole Anthony moving into the rotation to fill the minutes left behind by Franz Wagner.

Nobody can replace what Wagner or Banchero do. That is a consistent message. They can’t try to be the players they lost. They need to be themselves when given more opportunity. Even if more is required of them.

Orlando needs to be confident that they can step in and step in. It’s really the next man on top.

“I think it will be a challenge for the team,” Wagner said before Sunday’s game. “But that also brings with it a lot of opportunities. I think it’s definitely an opportunity for a lot of guys to step in and get a lot more playing time. Our squad is built in such a way that we have so many talented guys who sometimes don’t make it. “I don’t have enough time. This will be good for them.”

At least initially, the Magic will have to admit and accept that there will be growing pains as they figure out how to play together again with these new lineups. Mosley will have to experiment to find the right combinations of players.

But ultimately, the Magic will be better for it when they’re whole again.

I’m waiting to be whole

Franz Wagner will be back like Paolo Banchero. He is expected to be re-evaluated in four weeks. That doesn’t make it any easier to swallow a pill.

Wagner is a competitor. And even he had to admit that the positives he sees for this team are relative. Everyone would rather have a completely healthy team. Nobody wants to sit outside.

But things could get worse. These could be season-ending injuries. Orlando knows both Banchero and Wagner will be healthy. The team will get both back in time for the playoffs. The Magic will have a chance to rebuild.

And this team knows they can beat anyone in the league when they get back to full health. That time will come – even if it is late January or early February. That’s something to look forward to.