The Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic meet Friday night at Kia Center in an NBA Cup Group Play game. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET.
Brooklyn deals with several absences ahead of the contest. Haywood Highsmith sits out due to right knee surgery recovery, while Cam Thomas misses action with a left hamstring strain.
The Nets also list Ben Saraf, Nolan Traore, and Danny Wolf as out on G League assignments. Day’Ron Sharpe appears probable despite a left glute contusion.
Orlando faces its own challenges on the injury front. Paolo Banchero remains out with a left groin strain, and Moritz Wagner stays sidelined for left knee injury recovery.
Franz Wagner is available for the Magic, listed with a face mask. Colin Castleton and Orlando Robinson are out as two-way players.
Brooklyn enters the game with a 1-10 record through early November. The team has dropped its last five outings, including a 109-119 loss to Toronto on November 11.
Michael Porter Jr. has paced the Nets offense with 23.1 points per game this season. Nic Claxton adds 15.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest.
Cam Thomas, before his injury, averaged 21.4 points in limited action. His absence leaves Brooklyn short on scoring options against Orlando’s defense.
The Magic hold a 6-6 mark so far in 2025-26. They claimed a 124-107 win over New York on November 12.
Franz Wagner leads Orlando with 22.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Banchero’s production of 21.7 points and 8.7 rebounds goes missing due to injury.
Desmond Bane contributes 15.5 points and 4.7 assists for the Magic. Wendell Carter Jr. provides 12.7 points and 7.7 rebounds inside.
