All-Star's slow recovery a bad sign for other injured Magic star

Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley told Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel Thursday that Banchero's "spirits were great," but while praising his All-Star for "doing a great job" staying connected to the team, he admitted that his recovery has been slow.

Banchero may be participating in on-court activities and film sessions, but if he's not running at full speed or taking contact yet, it's unlikely he'll be taking the court for Orlando soon. It also means that the prognosis for the Magic's other young scorer might be discouraging.

Franz Wagner suffered the same injury Dec. 7, after having carried the Magic's offense with 24.4 points per game — 26 per game since Banchero went out. Based on the timetable of Banchero's recovery, the Magic might not see their fourth-year star for two months, perhaps not until the after the NBA's All-Star break in February.

Can the Magic survive until then? They're 1-2 since Wagner went out. They're one game into a brutal six-game homestand where they have to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat twice, almost certainly without Banchero on the floor.

At 17-11, Orlando has a cushion before having to fight for their playoff lives. But a season that looked destined to get them home-court advantage in the first round is now looking like it will lead to the play-in tournament.