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Wagner Returns: Magic Face Mavericks in Crucial April Showdown
4 Apr
Summary
- Franz Wagner starts first road game since London, returning from injury.
- Magic aim to sweep Dallas and improve playoff seeding, currently ninth in East.
- Mavericks, last in Southwest Division, struggle with a 24-52 record.
The Orlando Magic, holding the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, are visiting the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, April 3, 2026. This game is crucial for the Magic as they aim to sweep the Mavericks for the first time since 1998 and bolster their playoff seeding.
Forward Franz Wagner is expected to start his first road game since playing in London, England. This is his first appearance on the NBA Injury Report in 2026, though he has been averaging just over 20 minutes per game and is likely to remain on a minutes restriction. Wagner has struggled with his shot and rebounding in recent contests.
The Magic, with a 40-36 record, are 23-14 at home and 9-7 against Southeast Division opponents. They are currently a half-game behind the Charlotte Hornets and would host the Miami Heat in a play-in elimination game if the playoffs began today.
The Dallas Mavericks, holding a 24-52 record, are in last place in the Southwest Division. They have gone 5-25 since a four-game win streak in mid-January and finished March with a 3-13 record. Dallas faces a challenging schedule with only teams possessing winning records for their next six games.
Historically, Dallas has dominated the series, winning 10 of their last 13 matchups against Orlando, leading the all-time series 44-30. However, the Magic edged the Mavericks 115-114 on March 5, 2026, in their most recent encounter.
