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Ball Out for Chicago, Three Others Listed
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Ball Out for Chicago, Three Others Listed

CHICAGO – The Orlando Magic are embarking on a multi-game road trip in the 2024-25 season for the first time this year, beginning a five-city road trip against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night at the United Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8pm ET.

The Magic are 3-1 on the young season and are fresh off Paolo Banchero’s 50-point masterclass that helped Orlando edge the visiting Pacers 119-115 on Monday night.

Chicago enters the season with a 2-2 record after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 126-123 on the road at the FedExForum on Monday night. While Zach Lavine led the attack with 30 points, the trio consisting of Coby White and former Magic center Nikola Vucevic scored 72 points for the Bulls on the night.

Here’s the latest on player health and condition heading into Wednesday night’s tip-off.

Both Isaac and Bitadze missed the Magic’s meeting with the Pacers at the Kia Center on Monday. Isaac hasn’t been out since opening night in Miami, when he didn’t return to the game after taking a hard hit on the court in the fourth quarter. Last week, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said he was making progress day by day and had a pregame decision on Monday. Although he was ultimately eliminated from the contest, Isaac made the pregame jump shot and was visible during open shooting periods.

Bitadze’s injury was a late addition to the injury report on the morning of Monday’s Pacer game. After initially being reported as left foot soreness, it was later clarified that it was a left foot tendon strain, but Mosley said he would try to ‘give it a go’ himself in his pre-match preparation on Monday night. That too was a game time decision before elimination.

Notably, Franz Wagner and Tristan da Silva, who were battling illnesses before Monday’s game against Indiana, were not included in the Magic’s report. Wagner left Monday night’s game just 11 minutes into the evening with a suspected illness and missed the entire second half.

The lack of a slate for Wednesday night’s game against the Bulls shouldn’t mean the 6-10 fourth-season forward is ready. The same can be said for da Silva, who was available but did not appear in the Magic’s win over the Pacers on Monday.

12:15 Wednesday update: During the team’s shooting tour, Jamahl Mosley said Jonathan Isaac was “in good shape” and that was his decision before tonight’s game. Mosley said Goga Bitadze “probably won’t be able to go tonight”.

Lonzo Ball is on the injury report with a new name. Previously, Ball was listed on injury management reports for left knee surgery; He was listed as questionable heading into Wednesday night with right wrist soreness. Jalen Smith is a new addition to the report with a left ankle sprain.

Update at 21.00 on Tuesday: Ball was downgraded to OUT after Ball was diagnosed with a right ankle sprain. The Bulls say he will miss at least 10 days.

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