The final injury report is in for Friday night in Orlando, and it changes the look of Raptors vs. Magic in a big way. The Orlando Magic will again be without forward Franz Wagner, while the Toronto Raptors will travel without starting center Jakob Poeltl. Tip-off is set for Friday, January 30, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET in Orlando, with the Magic favored by 1.5 points and the total at 219.5.

For Orlando, Wagner’s left high ankle sprain continues to be managed carefully. This will be his fifth straight missed game since briefly returning in mid-January. For Toronto, Poeltl’s low back strain keeps him out, removing a key piece of the Raptors’ interior defense and rebounding.

Who’s In, Who’s Out: Final Word Before Tip

The NBA’s official injury reports confirm the headlines: Franz Wagner is out with left high ankle sprain injury management, and Jakob Poeltl is out with a back/low back strain. Wagner first injured the ankle on December 7 against the Knicks and, after a careful rehab, returned January 15 in Berlin against the Grizzlies (18 points, 9 rebounds in a 118–111 win) before soreness led to another pause.

Head coach Jamahl Mosley explained the approach, keeping the focus on the long term. “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard as heck to deal with. But he came up really, really, really sore after shootaround. And we’ve got to obviously look at the long-term view for how we’re dealing with our guys, and he’s one of those guys that we have to continue to look at in that situation.” The team has said this is not a setback—no MRI was needed—and Wagner is working on ankle strength (stationary bike, limited shootaround) before a return to full contact.

On the Raptors side, Poeltl’s absence is big on the boards and at the rim. He’s averaging 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and hitting 69.3% from the field. Without him, Toronto has to mix coverages and depend more on gang rebounding to finish defensive possessions.

“No Wagner, no Poeltl—this game comes down to who wins the paint without their anchor.”

What Wagner’s Absence Means for Orlando’s Attack

Wagner is one of Orlando’s main engines at 22 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3 assists per night. The Magic are 9–11 in the 20 games he has missed with this ankle issue, which shows how much his shot creation and size on the wing matter. Even so, Orlando has learned to spread the load. Paolo Banchero, the team’s leading scorer (21 PPG) and rebounder (8 RPG), is again the focal point. He had 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists the last time he faced the Raptors in late December—a reminder he can control a game in many ways.

The Magic’s latest showing was a 133–124 win over the Heat on January 28, with Banchero powering to 31 points and 12 boards, and rookie guard Anthony Black stepping up for 26 points. That blend of star force and young energy is the blueprint while Wagner heals.

Expect a balanced starting group. The projected five: Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, Desmond Bane, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter. With Wagner out, spacing, ball movement, and strong cutting become even more important, and Orlando will lean on defense-to-offense bursts to keep pressure on Toronto.

“If Banchero plays downhill and Carter controls the glass, the Magic can cover Wagner’s scoring tonight.”

How Poeltl’s Absence Changes Toronto’s Game Plan

Poeltl’s screen-setting, putbacks, and rim protection give the Raptors structure. Without him, Toronto’s margin for error shrinks on second-chance points and in pick-and-roll defense. The Raptors were stung 119–92 by the Knicks on January 28, and they’ll want to look more like the team that edged the Thunder 103–101 earlier in the week—tough, smart, and late-game sharp.

The projected Toronto lineup: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Collin Murray-Boyles (questionable, thumb), Brandon Ingram, and Scottie Barnes. Barnes’ all-around game becomes even more central without Poeltl. Expect Quickley’s pull-up shooting and Barrett’s drives to be crucial in keeping Orlando honest, while everyone must help rebound to tag Banchero and Carter on the glass.

“Toronto needs Barnes to be everywhere—on the boards, on the break, and guarding Banchero late.”

Recent Form, Odds, and the Series Picture

Momentum leans slightly Orlando’s way after the 133–124 win over Miami. The Magic are small favorites at -1.5, and odds makers set the total at 219.5. That projects a competitive, mid-to-high scoring night even with two key starters out.

History gives Toronto a puncher’s chance. The Raptors took the first meeting on December 29 in Toronto and are chasing back-to-back season series wins over the Magic for the first time since the 2020–2022 stretch. If they can keep Banchero away from the rim and make Orlando hit jumpers, they’ll be in it late.

Matchup Keys to Watch

• Boards Without the Bigs: With Poeltl out, can the Raptors keep Carter and Banchero off the offensive glass? Orlando must also finish plays with Wagner sidelined.
• Point of Attack: Quickley vs. Suggs is a tone-setter. Whoever wins the on-ball battles can tilt the pace and create easier looks for teammates.
• Next-Man-Up Scoring: Anthony Black’s 26 vs. the Heat was massive. Can he or a teammate repeat that punch? For Toronto, Barrett’s rim pressure could balance the scoring chart.
• Banchero vs. Barnes: Two big wings with skills. The star who controls the fourth quarter likely decides it.
• Whistles and Free Throws: Short-handed teams can’t give away easy points. Discipline matters, especially on drives and box-outs.

The Bigger Picture for Wagner and Orlando

As Mosley stressed, this is about the long view. The medical team does not see a new setback; this is careful management. There was no MRI, and the focus is on strengthening before contact work. While it’s “super frustrating,” as Wagner has described it, patience now aims to pay off later in the season when every game tightens up.

Orlando has learned how to weather his absence. Nine wins without him in 20 tries is not ideal, but it shows resilience. If the Magic keep finding bench and rookie pop around Banchero, they can stack enough wins to stay in the mix until Wagner returns.

Bottom Line

Two missing starters shift the chessboard. Orlando loses a key scorer and connector in Wagner. Toronto loses its back-line anchor in Poeltl. That puts more weight on stars like Banchero and Barnes, on guards like Quickley and Suggs, and on the little things—extra rebounds, clean rotations, and smart shot selection.

It might come down to who handles the ugly minutes best. The Magic have the home crowd, the recent big win, and the betting nod. The Raptors have history in the matchup and a knack for grinding. With the slate clear and the injuries known, it’s on the players to write the next chapter tonight.