The Orlando Magic are heading into a do-or-die Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons, but they'll have to do it without one of their key players. Franz Wagner has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup due to a strained right calf, marking his third consecutive game on the sidelines.

The 24-year-old forward initially suffered the injury late in Orlando's Game 4 victory, a game that put the Magic up 3-1 in the series and seemed to have them firmly in control. Despite returning to the sideline to ride an exercise bike, Wagner never made it back onto the court, and an MRI the following day confirmed the strain. It's a tough break for a team that was on the cusp of advancing to the second round.

Since Wagner's absence, the Pistons have roared back to win two straight, including a stunning Game 6 comeback where Orlando squandered a 24-point lead and managed just 19 points in the second half. The momentum has completely shifted, and the Magic now face a win-or-go-home scenario.

Wagner was a vital piece of Orlando's offense during the regular season, averaging 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 35% from beyond the arc. However, a high-ankle sprain limited him to just 34 games. In the four playoff games he played before getting hurt, Wagner was the team's third-leading scorer at 16.8 points per game, adding 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.8 steals. His absence has been felt deeply, especially in Game 6, where Jamal Cain and Tristan da Silva combined for just 13 points off the bench in his place.

Would the Magic have closed out the series with Wagner on the floor? It's impossible to say for sure, especially given how poorly the team shot in Game 6—Paolo Banchero hit just 4 of 20 shots, Desmond Bane went 7-of-18, and Jalen Suggs was 1-for-10. Even Wagner might have struggled alongside his teammates. But his absence underscores a growing trend in the NBA: calf injuries are being treated with extreme caution, even when a season hangs in the balance.