Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. Breaks Silence on Angel Reese Romance Amid Ankle Injury Setback

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. missed Sunday’s 113-92 loss in Boston after being downgraded from questionable to out with a left-ankle sprain, the same injury that forced him from Friday’s game against Philadelphia. Head coach Jamahl Mosley turned to veteran Goga Bitadze in the starting lineup, while Moritz Wagner and rookie Tristan da Silva soaked up front-court minutes in a makeshift rotation that struggled to slow Celtics star Jaylen Brown. What’s next for Carter? • Expected timeline: The team has labeled the sprain “day-to-day,” but ankle injuries of this grade traditionally carry a 7-to-14-day recovery window. Orlando begins a three-game homestand Wednesday against Cleveland, followed by matchups with Houston and Dallas; Carter’s availability will hinge on lateral-movement testing during Tuesday’s practice. • Medical context: Carter has battled foot and ankle issues repeatedly since entering the league; he missed 18 games last season with a separate right-foot injury. Team trainers are prioritizing long-term stability in hopes of avoiding a chronic problem. Why it matters 1. Defensive anchor: Orlando owns the NBA’s eighth-best defensive rating when Carter plays and slips to 17th when he sits, per league tracking data. His absence forces Paolo Banchero to spend more time at small-ball five—an alignment the Magic prefer to deploy situationally, not as a base look. 2. Rebounding gap: Carter averages 9.1 boards; without him, Orlando surrendered 13 offensive rebounds in Boston, fueling 24 second-chance points. 3. Shooting spacing: The 25-year-old is hitting a career-best 37.8 percent from three on 3.4 attempts per game, a critical release valve for pick-and-roll actions with Jalen Suggs. Fantasy-basketball takeaway Managers should stash Carter in IR spots rather than drop him. In the interim, Bitadze is worth a short-term add for rebounds and blocks, while Wagner gains value in points leagues thanks to his usage bump. Quotable “We’re not rushing him,” Mosley told reporters pre-game. “When Wendell is right, our ceiling rises. Until then, it’s next-man-up.” Bottom line Monitor Tuesday’s practice report for the first clear signal of Carter’s return path. If swelling subsides and lateral drills are pain-free, a comeback against Cleveland is realistic; otherwise, circle Saturday vs. Houston as the most likely target date.