The Orlando Magic will again be without one of their most vital players as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons. Franz Wagner has been ruled out with a right calf strain, marking his second consecutive absence after missing Game 5 on Wednesday.

Detroit capitalized on Wagner's absence in a big way, securing a 116-109 win at Little Caesars Arena to stave off elimination and force a pivotal Game 6 back in Orlando on Friday. The Pistons' victory was powered by a historic performance from Cade Cunningham, who dropped a franchise playoff-record 45 points.

Wagner's impact on this series—and the Magic's season as a whole—cannot be overstated. Through the first four games, he served as Orlando's primary defender on Cunningham, holding him to just 7-of-22 shooting when matched up. Without Wagner on the floor in Game 5, Cunningham exploded, and Jamal Cain—who replaced Wagner in the starting lineup—struggled to contain him, finishing with five points and four rebounds while going 3-for-7 from the free-throw line.

The numbers tell a stark story: According to Cleaning The Glass, the Magic played like a 51-win team with Wagner on the court this season, but dropped to a 38-win pace without him. His postseason plus-minus of plus-5.1 is the best on Orlando's roster, underscoring just how much they rely on his two-way presence.

"I hate to miss any game, especially in this situation," Wagner told reporters before Game 5. "There are things that are really important. Obviously, we know the history of other guys who have gotten hurt. You've got to be careful with this kind of injury."

Wagner, who spent two years at Michigan, has been limited to just 34 games this season due to an ankle sprain and other ailments, averaging 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game when healthy. His absence leaves a massive void on both ends of the floor as the Magic try to keep their season alive.