The Orlando Magic entered Friday's Game 6 knowing they'd be without star forward Franz Wagner, who suffered a right calf strain in the third quarter of Game 4. The injury has left his status for the remainder of the first-round playoff series against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons uncertain—a significant blow for the eighth-seeded Magic as they fight to extend their season at Kia Center.

When asked by the Orlando Sentinel if Wagner participated in Friday morning's shootaround, head coach Jamahl Mosley gave a blunt response: "No." Without their leading scorer, the Magic have had to dig deep into their bench, a challenge that becomes even more critical as the playoff rotation tightens.

In Game 5, Mosley turned to Jamal Cain to fill Wagner's spot in the starting lineup. But the real story has been the contributions from Orlando's reserves throughout the series. Cain sparked the Magic with impactful play in Games 3 and 4, while Anthony Black poured in 19 points in Game 5 to keep Orlando competitive. Goga Bitadze has been a defensive anchor off the bench, recording two blocks in each of Games 4 and 5 while controlling the glass as the backup center.

It's common for NBA coaches to shorten their rotations in the playoffs, and Mosley has stuck with a tight group. Veterans like Moe Wagner and Jevon Carter, both with postseason experience, have yet to see meaningful minutes in this series. Young guards Jett Howard, Jase Richardson, and Noah Penda have also been glued to the bench, having logged just three minutes total—all in garbage time of Game 2.

When asked whether Wagner's absence might force him to expand the rotation, Mosley kept his options open. "It's all in consideration," he told the Sentinel. "Just depending on guys playing more minutes but also bumping bodies in a physical series." As the Magic fight to force a Game 7, their bench depth will be tested like never before.