When Moe Wagner faced the reporters on Monday at the AdventHealth Training Center, it was a day filled with mixed emotions. The Orlando Magic center, known for his high energy and infectious spirit on and off the court, had just received devastating news less than 24 hours earlier: an MRI confirmed that he had torn the ACL in his left knee, an injury that would end his season. But before walking over to the group of waiting journalists, there was a moment of support. Jonathan Isaac, a fellow Magic player, helped Wagner put a compression sock on his injured leg. For Isaac, this wasn’t just a simple act—it was a reminder of his own painful journey with injuries and the road to recovery.
Isaac, who had been sidelined for nearly three years due to multiple lower leg injuries, knows all too well what Wagner is about to face. Isaac’s journey to recovery is nothing short of inspirational. Despite his setbacks, Isaac worked tirelessly to regain his form, ultimately coming back to become one of the league's top defenders. His recovery serves as a beacon of hope for Wagner. If anyone knows that there’s light at the end of the tunnel after a significant injury, it’s Isaac.
"This is just another chance to prove how much you love this game," Wagner said during the shootaround ahead of Orlando’s matchup with Boston. “That’s how I see it. That’s why we do it—we want to play.” For Wagner, it wasn’t just about the setback—it was about how he could rise from it. And seeing Isaac’s resilience helped him believe that he could overcome this hurdle too.
Wagner’s optimism shines through, even as he acknowledges the emotional toll of the situation. “Right now for me, it’s just honestly a sadness that you’re sad about not being able to play, not being able to do what you want to do,” Wagner admitted. “But I’ll get over that.” It’s clear that while the road ahead will be long, he is committed to pushing through. But no one could ignore the weight of the moment. The injury wasn’t just a blow to Wagner; it hit the whole Magic organization hard.
His teammates felt the loss deeply. Center Wendell Carter Jr. was visibly emotional as he spoke about Wagner’s impact both on and off the court. “Just him as a person, the sacrifices he’s put in, the work he’s put in, there’s not really many words that I can really say [about] how I feel about it,” Carter Jr. shared. “It’s really heartbreaking to lose a guy like that for this organization. He just does so much for us on and off the court that to see someone go down with news like that, it’s sad honestly.”
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley was equally affected. “It broke me a little bit,” Mosley confessed. “I teared up as I watched Moe go down because you watch the work that he’s put in, you watched the tear he was on. I mean, he was in running in my mind for Sixth Man of the Year—the energy and the toughness he brings to this team, it shook me a little bit.”
In his address to the team, Mosley stressed three key words: Perspective, opportunity, and belief. “You’ve got to keep the proper perspective when you touch that floor because it’s not promised,” Mosley said. “You have to have the appreciation for the game.” He emphasized the opportunity that comes with adversity, pointing to players like Trevelin Queen and Cole Anthony, who stepped up when the team faced setbacks. "The last part is the belief system," Mosley continued. “You have to believe in what we’ve done, believe in who we are, how hard we work, the standard that we’ve set—that’s not going to change regardless of who’s on the floor and believing you can do it no matter the night.”
The Magic have repeatedly proven their resilience, even in the face of injury. Earlier this season, the team found ways to succeed despite the absence of key players. After Paolo Banchero suffered a torn right abdominal muscle in late October, Orlando responded by bouncing back from a five-game losing streak with two separate six-game winning streaks over a 13-game stretch. Even after Franz Wagner, Moe’s younger brother, suffered a similar injury to Banchero’s, the team kept fighting.
In fact, the Magic even managed a remarkable 25-point comeback victory against the Miami Heat on Saturday, despite Moe Wagner’s devastating injury. The team was already without Banchero, Franz, Gary Harris (suffering from a left hamstring strain), and Jalen Suggs (who is recovering from a right ankle sprain). And then, to top it all off, Carter was ejected with two technical fouls during the game. Yet, the Magic found a way to win. Moe Wagner, despite his own pain, was genuinely happy for his teammates. “How they won it, I don’t know,” he said, still in disbelief. “But I was happy for them and [will] continue to support them this year. And I’m excited to see how the group evolves and grows. There’s so many fun days ahead, and this shouldn’t take away from that at all.”
Looking ahead, the Magic are hopeful that they will soon see some of their injured players return. Banchero was seen going through some light shooting during Monday’s shootaround, and Franz is expected to be re-evaluated in early January. But for Moe Wagner, this season is officially over. The 24 to 48 hours following his injury were “hell,” as he described it. It’s a devastating reality to accept, especially with his family in town from Germany for the holidays. But despite the heavy blow, Wagner has found a silver lining.
“At the end of the day, those challenges always make you appreciate the little things in life,” Wagner said with a smile. “A dear friend of mine said, ‘You’re going to come out of this the best version of yourself.’ Again, I’m a competitor—so I’m not excited for rehab—but it’s another challenge that you kind of grow with. I’m trying my best to stay very positive and see it how it is.”
The Orlando Magic are facing a tough road ahead, but the spirit of resilience that runs through the team is undeniable. Moe Wagner’s injury may have been a tough blow, but it also serves as a reminder of the strength within the team. Whether it’s the unwavering support of Jonathan Isaac, the emotional leadership of coach Mosley, or the collective drive of the players, Orlando is ready to keep fighting. Despite the adversity, the Magic have a group of players who understand that setbacks are just part of the game, and with belief, determination, and a bit of perspective, they will continue to push forward.
Login