The Magic are no strangers to injuries. Orlando is leaning on past experience to find light at the end of the tunnel after four losses in a row.

The Orlando Magic upgrade Franz Wagner's injury status to questionable ahead of their game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Orlando Magic forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner again placed in the top 10 of All-Star fan voting returns on Thursday, but their standing changed.

Wagner was playing at an All-NBA level before he tore his right oblique on Dec. 6. Before Orlando's loss in Milwaukee on Wednesday, the team changed his status on the injury repor

The fourth-year Orlando Magic forward has been out since tearing his right oblique on Dec. 6 at Philadelphia. Now, Franz Wagner's return seems imminent in the coming days, listed as questionable to return vs. the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night after missing the last 20 games.

Orlando enters the matchup with a 23-21 record, looking to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff race as they navigate the season dealing with a number of crucial injuries. Magic star Paolo Banchero returned to action on January 10 after missing over two months of play due to a torn oblique.

In his first NBA season, Paolo Banchero was named Kia Rookie of the Year. In his second NBA season, he earned an All-Star selection while leading the Magic to their first Playoff appearance since 2019-20.

Banchero has missed the Magic's last 33 games, and he will reportedly miss a 34th on when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. On the official injury report, he is still listed as "questionable" for that game, as of Thursday afternoon.

Orlando Magic F Franz Wagner (torn right oblique) has started contact work and is ramping up towards a return. @CassidyHubbarth on the ESPN broadcast said she’s told Magic are hopeful he could be back within the next 7-10 days. Franz was recently elevated in his injury status

Having Banchero back in the mix gives the Magic offense a whole new set of weapons. And if he’s able to return to the form he evidenced in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign, then he should be able to keep the Magic as one of the best teams in the East as the regular season rapidly approaches its mid-point.

The Magic's franchise player thrived in his return from an oblique injury, though it wasn't enough for the win.

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero (oblique) will make his return Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks after being sidelined for over two months. #haynesbriefsSource: Twitter