The Orlando Magic will be without center Wendell Carter Jr. on Thursday night after he was sidelined with a mild left rib injury ahead of their game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Orlando (38-30) announced an update on its latest injury report on Thursday afternoon, giving Carter Jr. a late opportunity as the team prepares for tipoff at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV. His absence adds to an already lengthy injury list as the Magic face major rotation losses heading into the season.
Carter Jr. last appeared in a 113-108 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, where he recorded 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal in 29 minutes. He made 3 of 9 shots from the field and converted 5 of 6 free throw attempts in the contest.
The 26-year-old has been a consistent presence for Orlando throughout the season. In 65 games, he has averaged 11.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, while shooting 50.6% from the field and 32.2% from three-point range in 29.6 minutes per contest. His interior presence and rebounding have played a vital role in the Magic's frontcourt stability.
The absence of Carter Jr. further diminishes Orlando's depth in the frontcourt. The team's injury report also lists Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal strain), Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) and Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain/injury management) out. With several starters and rotation players sidelined, Orlando will be forced to rely on their remaining available personnel to fill key minutes.
Magical way to stabilize the standings without Wendell Carter Jr. vs. Hornets
The Magic entered Thursday's contest looking to stop a two-game losing streak and reclaim a spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Orlando drops to the sixth seed and is one game behind the Toronto Raptors (39-29) for fifth place. The team is also 3.5 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers (42-27) in the race for the fourth seed.
Charlotte (35-34) presents a competitive challenge as it continues to dominate the Eastern Conference standings. With both teams fighting for a postseason berth, availability and depth could prove decisive.
Following the matchup against the Hornets, Orlando will return home to begin a two-game homestand. That streak begins Saturday night against the Los Angeles Lakers (44-25), who are on a seven-game winning streak.
As the regular season enters its final stretch, the Magic's ability to manage injuries while maintaining consistency will continue to be important. Carter Jr.'s late start underscores the challenges facing Orlando as it looks to stabilize its rotation and stay within reach of a higher seed in the Eastern Conference.
