Carter (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
Carter is a late scratch due to right knee tendonitis. The 25-year-old has averaged 8.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks across 29.8 minutes per game in five regular-season appearances (all starts). Jonathan Isaac and Moritz Wagner are candidates to pick up more playing time in Carter's absence, though his next chance to suit up will come Sunday against Dallas.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Logs first double-double of season
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Carter produced 11 points (3-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal in 32 minutes during Monday's 119-115 victory over the Pacers.
Carter has registered at least 10 rebounds in each of the first four games of the regular season, but Monday's game was his first reaching double-digit scoring. He isn't expected to produce a lot of points on a night-to-night basis while playing alongside Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner (illness), but Carter provides value with his rebounding and steals.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Grabs 10 boards in loss
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Carter contributed three points (1-6 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block over 31 minutes during Saturday's 124-111 loss to the Grizzlies.
The 25-year-old struggled from the field while going up against Memphis' frontcourt of Jaren Jackson, Zach Edey, and Jay Huff. Carter's fantasy value is mostly reliant on rebounds, steals and blocks, and the return of Jonathan Isaac (hip) could mean a slight drop in playing time. Carter has yet to post double-digit points in three regular-season games, though he already has three outings with 10-plus rebounds and two matchups with two steals.
Magic's Wendell Carter: Modest performance in return
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Carter compiled 10 points (5-8 FG, 0-3 3PT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 21 minutes during Friday's preseason loss to the 76ers.
Carter returned to action after suffering an ankle sprain earlier in the preseason, moving straight into the starting lineup. A perennial underperformer, Carter will be looking to establish himself as a noteworthy center this season. He will have Moritz Wagner and Goga Bitadze clipping at his heels, both of whom have proven they can serve as viable starting options. As he is penciled in as the starter, Carter is worth considering as a late-round pick in drafts.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Gets starting nod
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Carter is in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game versus the 76ers.
Carter will replace Goga Bitadze in the starting lineup Friday after missing time with an ankle sprain. However, Carter is unlikely to receive a full workload until the regular season rolls around.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Set to play Friday
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Carter (ankle) is available for Friday's preseason finale against the 76ers, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Carter will return to action Friday after suffering a left ankle sprain earlier this preseason. The 25-year-old big man appears to have made a full recovery and is expected to operate as Orlando's starting center this season.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Status for Friday TBD
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Coach Jamahl Mosley said Carter went through live work during Tuesday's practice, but the center's status for Friday's preseason finale against the 76ers remains to be determined, Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com reports.
Carter is considered day-to-day after spraining his left ankle during Monday's preseason loss to the Pelicans. Even if he isn't cleared to suit up for the preseason finale, it appears Carter is on track for the start of the regular season. However, the big man has appeared in more than 60 regular-season games only once in his career, so Orlando may proceed cautiously.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Inactive Wednesday
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Carter (ankle) is out for Wednesday's preseason game versus San Antonio.
Carter's next opportunity to suit up for preseason action comes Oct. 18 versus Philadelphia, as Friday's game against New Orleans has been canceled due to inclement weather in the area. Orlando will likely exercise an abundance of precaution with the 25-year-old ramping up in advance of the regular season.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Considered day-to-day
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Carter is considered day-to-day after getting confirmation he suffered a sprained left ankle during Monday's preseason loss to the Pelicans, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Carter has struggled to stay healthy, playing more than 60 regular-season games only once during his six-year career. However, it seems he avoided a serious injury after appearing visibly frustrated while getting helped off the court Monday. The Magic have three preseason games left until they open the regular season against the Heat on Oct. 23.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Inks three-year extension
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Carter (ankle) agreed to a three-year, $59 million contract extension with the Magic on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Carter is expected to play a sizable role this season in Orlando's frontcourt, and this deal confirms the confidence the team has in the 25-year-old. The Duke product is looking to bounce this season after a down 2023-24 campaign, during which he averaged 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 made threes in 55 regular-season appearances.
Magic's Wendell Carter: Undergoing imaging on ankle
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Coach Jamahl Mosley told reporters following Monday's preseason game against the Pelicans that Carter will get imaging on his left ankle ahead of Wednesday's exhibition contest against the Spurs, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Carter sprained his left ankle during Monday's preseason game, and he was visibly frustrated as he was helped to the locker room. It seems unlikely that Carter will play Wednesday, and the imaging on his ankle will determine his availability for the rest of the preseason.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Suffers ankle sprain
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Carter suffered a sprained left ankle during Monday's preseason game against the Pelicans and was unable to return, Dan Savage of the Magic's official site reports. Carter finished with four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds and one steal in 20 minutes.
Carter needed help to get to the locker room and was visibly frustrated about the injury. Carter has had some tough luck with injuries in the past, so this is something for fantasy managers to watch closely. It wouldn't be surprising to see Carter miss Wednesday's preseason contest against the Spurs even if this is just a minor issue.
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Magic's Wendell Carter: Practices Tuesday
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Carter (hand) practiced Tuesday, Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com reports.
Carter underwent surgery in May to stabilize the third metacarpal in his left hand, but as expected, he'll be available to start the 2024-25 campaign. The big man was wearing a wrap around his left hand during Tuesday's practice, so there may still be limitations early on, but Carter's full participation is encouraging at this point in the preseason.
Magic's Wendell Carter: Undergoing offseason surgery
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Carter will undergo surgery to stabilize the third metacarpal in his left hand, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reported Saturday. Carter is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.
In simpler terms, Carter will have a procedure to fully fix his left hand -- the same hand he sustained a fractured middle finger on early this season -- and is expected to be ready for the 2024-25 campaign. Carter missed a month and a half after sustaining the injury (which required surgery) in November but was able to return and appear in 55 games (48 starts) overall. He's set for re-evaluation four weeks after the procedure.
