The Orlando Magic travel to Little Caesars Arena on Friday, November 28, to face the Detroit Pistons in a key matchup, with injuries shaping both rosters.
Orlando (11-8) comes off a two-game winning streak, including a 144-103 rout of Philadelphia and a 133-121 home win over the Knicks. Detroit enters following a narrow 114-117 loss at Boston, seeking to snap a one-game skid while maintaining its 15-3 record.
The Magic will be without Paolo Banchero due to a left groin strain, removing one of their top scorers who averages 21.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Moritz Wagner remains sidelined with left knee injury recovery, while three two-way players—Jamal Cain, Colin Castleton, and Orlando Robinson—are unavailable. Franz Wagner is expected to play wearing a face mask.
Orlando’s scoring burden falls on Franz Wagner, who leads the team with 22.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, along with Desmond Bane (17.3 PPG) and Wendell Carter Jr. inside (12.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG). Anthony Black and Jalen Suggs will also have expanded roles to compensate for missing teammates.
Detroit faces its own setbacks, including Jaden Ivey, listed as questionable while returning from reconditioning, and Bobi Klintman sidelined with a left ankle sprain. Marcus Sasser remains out with a right hip impingement, and Wendell Moore Jr. is unavailable on a two-way assignment. Isaac Jones is in the G League on assignment, while Tolu Smith is also out on a two-way deal.
Cade Cunningham leads the Pistons with 28.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game, supported by Jalen Duren’s inside presence (19.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG) and Ausar Thompson (12.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG). Duncan Robinson adds floor spacing with 12.5 points per game, shooting 42% from three.
Friday’s game marks the first meeting between the two teams this season.
