Magic's Franz Wagner returns in blowout loss to Hawks

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner returned to the lineup in Wednesday's 130-101 loss to the Atlanta Hawks after missing the last 22 games with a high ankle sprain.

The 24-year-old tallied 12 points, two assists, and one rebound in 20 minutes of action.

Prior to Wednesday, Wagner last appeared Feb. 11 against the Milwaukee Bucks. He had another 16-game absence earlier this season while dealing with the same injury.

Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley told reporters pregame that the team would be "very diligent" with its handling of Wagner's minutes, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.

"At the end of the day, he's worked his tail off to get back. We know what he's capable of doing," Mosley said, per Beede.

Orlando went 12-10 during his most recent absence, including losses in seven of its past nine games.

Wagner has been productive when healthy, averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals across 28 appearances this season. His assist percentage (18%) ranks in the 84th percentile among all wings, per Cleaning the Glass.

The Magic (40-36) sit eighth in the Eastern Conference following Wednesday's defeat.