Franz Wagner plans to play in the Magic’s opener against the Hawks after a full practice

Franz Wagner expects to be on the floor when the Orlando Magic open their season. The forward said Tuesday that he took full part in practice and plans on playing Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks, Jason Beede and Dan Savage reported. It is the clearest sign yet that the right shoulder soreness that knocked him out of the preseason finale will not cost him opening night.

Wagner got hurt in Friday’s 136-115 preseason win over the Miami Heat. He grabbed at his right arm after a three-point attempt, came out with about eight minutes left in the third quarter and was ruled out late in the period (our report from that night). Two days later he was back on the court for what Beede described as light work, while Sean Sweeney said the team was still evaluating the shoulder (Sunday’s update).

Tuesday went a step further. Video from the end of practice showed Wagner putting up shots, and he later stayed on for a shooting drill with Jase Richardson, Wendell Carter Jr., Anthony Black and Desmond Bane.

Sweeney keeps the final call open

The coach was more careful than his player. Sweeney said after practice that Black, Wagner and Jonathan Isaac all continue to progress in their recoveries, and that the Magic will see how they feel heading into the opener. Orlando, like every team playing Wednesday, had not yet submitted its first injury report for the game as of Tuesday’s 12:15 p.m. ET update. That report is due later Tuesday and will show whether Wagner carries any designation into game day.

Black has been working back from a right ankle sprain that cost him the entire preseason. He practiced on Sunday, and Sweeney said then that he was moving well and would keep ramping up (Black’s status). He was also part of Tuesday’s shooting drill. Isaac, who has been dealing with a left knee issue and sat out Friday’s finale, was passing to his teammates during that drill rather than shooting.

Why it matters for Orlando

Wagner averaged 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 34 games last season, and the Magic have already lost depth in the final week of camp. Noah Penda has a partial tear of his right hamstring and could miss significant time (Penda’s injury). Richardson, who left the same preseason game with a sore lower back, was listed as day-to-day and was back shooting on Tuesday. Having Wagner available from the start would take a big load off the rest of the wing rotation.

What comes next

The Hawks visit the Magic at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday. Watch the first official report for Wednesday’s games, due Tuesday afternoon, for Wagner, Black and Isaac. Follow the game in the Game Center, and check every team’s latest status on the injuries page.