The Orlando Magic’s West Coast challenge comes with a heavy dose of uncertainty. Hours before tip at the Golden State Warriors on Monday (10 p.m. ET), Orlando’s final injury checks point to more juggling for head coach Jamahl Mosley. Jalen Suggs is still nursing a hip contusion with no public timetable, and Franz Wagner’s high left ankle sprain could sideline him two to four weeks. For a team that’s climbed to first in the Southeast Division, this is a test of depth and poise under the bright lights of Chase Center.

Jalen Suggs’ hip and the Franz Wagner timeline

Underdog NBA reported that Suggs was diagnosed with a hip contusion and is without a timetable for return. He has missed the past two games, and the Magic are 1–1 in that stretch. The timing is cruel: Suggs had just dropped 25 points in the first half of Orlando’s semifinal vs. the Knicks before he exited. The Magic eventually fell, 132–120.

Suggs has stayed upbeat. “I’m doing good,” he said. “I get to spend some time with our [medical] team and get my body right. So, I’m good.” He added, “I’m good. Just working on the body, working on the mind, get everything right and get ready [to be] back to roll.” That optimism is real, but it won’t change tonight’s rotation if he’s held out for a third straight game.

The other headline is clearer in scope but heavier in impact: ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Franz Wagner was diagnosed with a high left ankle sprain and could miss two-to-four weeks. With both Wagner brothers on the report at various points—Moritz Wagner was recently recalled from the G League Osceola Magic as he works back from a knee issue—Orlando’s wing and frontcourt mix will be under pressure.

“If Suggs sits again, Anthony Black has to set the tone early.”

How the Magic can cover: rotations and roles

Without Suggs and Franz Wagner, Orlando’s options are clear but demanding. One projected lineup rolls out:

• PG Anthony Black
• SG Desmond Bane
• SF Tristan da Silva
• PF Paolo Banchero
• C Wendell Carter Jr.

An alternate projection flips the backcourt and wing pieces:

• PG Tyus Jones
• SG Desmond Bane
• SF Anthony Black
• PF Paolo Banchero
• C Wendell Carter Jr.

The common thread: Banchero becomes the fulcrum. Per the latest listed averages for this matchup, Banchero is humming at 24.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists—near a triple-double pace. That playmaking will be vital with Suggs off the ball or out entirely. Wendell Carter Jr. has stretched the floor (2.5 threes per game) while protecting the rim (1.5 blocks), a two-way blend Orlando needs against Golden State’s screen and cut-heavy offense.

Anthony Black’s poised guard play (21.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists in the listed line) gives the Magic a steady hand, while Desmond Bane brings balanced scoring and defense (19.0 points, 4.5 assists, 1.5 blocks). Rookie wing Tristan da Silva offers size and simple reads. The goal is not to match star power but to win the possessions game—limit live-ball turnovers, finish plays on the glass, and rely on Banchero to bend the defense.

“Banchero as a point-forward might be the swing for Orlando.”

Warriors injury notes and Stephen Curry’s load

Golden State has its own injury questions. A projected starting five lists:

• PG Stephen Curry
• SG Moses Moody
• SF Jimmy Butler
• PF Draymond Green
• C Quinten Post

Whatever the final card, this much is certain: when Curry is on, the Warriors’ floor rises. His listed averages for this game window—21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 3.0 made threes—underline his all-around weight in the offense. Draymond Green’s organizing defense and playmaking, plus the size of Quinten Post, would give Golden State a different look if that projection holds.

Game notes indicate the Magic have four players on the injury sheet. For Orlando, that means fresh legs must produce winning minutes. For Golden State, it’s a chance to push pace and force mismatches, especially if Orlando leans on bigger lineups without Franz Wagner’s wing scoring and movement.

“Curry vs. a short-handed Magic — trap game or splash show?”

Numbers to watch: threes, glass, pace

This matchup may come down to a few simple metrics:

• Three-point volume: Curry is listed at 3.0 made threes. Orlando counters by committee—Carter Jr. (2.5), Bane (1.5), and Black (1.5). If the Magic hit open looks, they can keep contact.
• Defensive boards: Banchero’s 12.5 rebounds and Carter Jr.’s 8.5 help end possessions. Second-chance points could tilt the night.
• Turnovers into points: With Suggs sidelined, clean entry passes and strong cuts matter. Bane and Black must value the ball and hit the first read.
• Half-court creation: Without Franz Wagner, Orlando’s late-clock answers are Banchero touches and Bane pull-ups. For the Warriors, it’s Curry movement and Draymond short-roll reads.

The stakes for Orlando’s fast start

The Magic have opened the season well—listed at 16–12 and first in the Southeast Division (with some earlier listings at 15–11). That growth is real, and it’s part of why this game matters. A win in San Francisco would show that Orlando can manage injuries, trust its depth, and still play to identity. Even a tight road loss can be a data point: which spacing works best without Franz, which guard pairings settle the offense, and how much Banchero can carry as a primary creator.

Meanwhile, every opponent knows the scouting report: body Banchero, stay home on Carter’s pick-and-pop, test the ball pressure without Suggs at the point of attack, and run on misses. Orlando’s counter needs to be simple and sharp: defend without fouling, finish plays at the rim, and let the stars handle the biggest moments.

Final word and tip time

Injury reports are shaping the night. Suggs’ hip contusion keeps him day-to-day with no set return date, and Franz Wagner’s high ankle sprain projects a 2–4 week absence. Moritz Wagner has been recalled from the G League as he works back from a knee issue, and the Magic will keep tapping into their depth. For Golden State, Curry’s steady brilliance still forces opponents to choose their poison, even as the Warriors navigate their own absences.

Tip is 10 p.m. ET, Monday, December 22, 2025. If Orlando defends the arc, pounds the glass, and gets Banchero downhill, they can make this a fourth-quarter game—even with bodies missing. If not, Curry can turn a small gap into a big one fast. Either way, we’ll learn more about a Magic team that keeps finding answers on the fly.