East Notes: Magic, Franz Wagner, Pistons, Wizards

Magic

Forward Franz Wagner scored 18 points and looked sharp in a preseason victory over the Cavaliers — and not long after helping Germany win the FIBA World Cup.

“I think it’s a really good ramp-up for me after the FIBA tournament,” he said, via Josh Cohen of Magic.com. “I feel really good. It’s a lot of fun to be out there again with the guys. At the same time, it’s a completely different game than what I played in the summer. I’m just getting back into things as well.”

• Guard Jalen Suggs told reporters he feels reinvigorated after the offseason. “What a summer of growth honestly. I get excited talking about it,” he said. “My temperance, my self-discipline, my mental, my spirit, my soul, that was the biggest thing this summer.”

Pistons

The Pistons overcame a 21-point deficit to top the Thunder in Montreal, and coach Monty Williams said it’s something to build off in the regular season.

“That’s what we have to hang our hat on, building our culture,” Williams said, via Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “Wherever we go, we compete. We kept our spirit where it needed to be, even in the third quarter where you’re like, ‘Ehh, not looking great but we can be more consistent.’ And then we just had a ton of guys make plays.”

• Guard Cade Cunningham (calf tendonitis) and center Jalen Duren (ankle) missed the game, with Cunningham being a late scratch. Neither injury is considered serious.

Wizards 

Point guard Tyus Jones, guard Jordan Poole, rookie forward Bilal Coulibaly, forward Kyle Kuzma and center Daniel Gafford have started in each of the Wizards’ two preseason games.

As written by Ava Wallace of the Washington Post:

“Four of those players look to be no-brainers — Gafford recovered from a left elbow sprain in time to occupy his starting spot from last season — but Coulibaly was an intriguing selection.

“The 19-year-old overachieved alongside his more seasoned teammates given how Unseld and the front office have been managing expectations, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if (coach Wes Unseld Jr.) was just testing Coulibaly’s mettle with fourth-year forward Deni Avdija unavailable to play because of back tightness.”