NOVEMBER 4: Carter will undergo surgery on his left hand and will be reevaluated in about three weeks, the Magic announced (via Twitter).
NOVEMBER 3: An injury to center Wendell Carter Jr. marred an otherwise encouraging road win in Utah for the Magic on Thursday night. According to the team (Twitter link), Carter broke the third metacarpal in his left hand during a fall in the final seconds of the victory while he was fighting for a rebound.
The Magic have yet to provide a recovery timeline for Carter, but it seems safe to assume the injury will cause him to miss time. As Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel notes, the Cleveland Clinic states that most people who sustain a metacarpal fracture require the hand to be immobilized for at least three weeks. Surgery is sometimes necessary to repair the fracture.
Carter had been the Magic’s starting center for the first five games this season, averaging 9.4 points and 8.6 rebounds in 29.4 minutes per night. He was off to a cold start as a shooter (.378/.313/.571), but is a key piece in Orlando’s frontcourt and will be missed during his absence.
Moritz Wagner and Goga Bitadze are behind Carter on the depth chart at center and could play increased roles until Carter is ready to return.
The Magic issued two more injury updates on Thursday night, announcing (via Twitter) that Markelle Fultz missed Thursday’s game due to swelling in his left knee, while Gary Harris suffered a strained right groin in Utah. Both players will be reevaluated upon returning to Orlando, per the club.
As with Carter, there’s no clarity yet on when Fultz or Harris will be healthy enough to play, but it appears the Magic’s depth will be tested early on this season. The team is off to a 3-2 start.
Mo Wagner was on the Celtics briefly, very briefly. I liked his enthusiasm & his 3-point shooting & was hoping Celts would give him a chance. But we never did and I see he’s playing rotation minutes now w Orlando and his brother. Maybe Carter’s misfortune will solidify Mo’s worth. Go Celtics!
I will start Goga Bitadze in place of Wendell and keep bringing out of the bench Mo Wagner and JI. Goga can give Orlando at least 8 to 10 good minutes in the starting lineup. Perhaps Goga will become in the next Marcin Gortat in Orlando when in 2008 he took the starting place of an injured DH12 becoming in a sensational player, Go Goga Go Goga.
I would start Mo. I like the mention of Gortat, late second rd pick who worked his way up. I do believe in Goga though. He should get more minutes but I would stArt Mo
You were right. They started Goga
Sucks for Carter & the Magic. I’ve had that same injury and was out for around 6 weeks. Luckily they have Wagner to fill in at the C position.
Did you play pro ball?
I told you so, Goga is a good player good call from coach Mosley to put Goga in the starting lineup.