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Ball out for Chicago, three more listed
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Ball out for Chicago, three more listed

CHICAGO – For the first time this year, the Orlando Magic are embarking on a multi-game road trip in the 2024-25 season, kicking off a five-city jaunt Wednesday night, taking on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.

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

Chicago starts the season 2-2, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 126-123 on the road at FedExForum on Monday night. Zach Lavine led the group with 30 points, and the trio of him, Coby White and former Magic center Nikola Vucevic combined for 72 points for the Bulls on the night.

Here’s the latest information on players’ health and status ahead of Wednesday night’s tipoff.

Both Isaac and Bitadze missed the Magic’s Monday meeting with the Pacers at the Kia Center. Isaac hasn’t appeared in a game since opening night in Miami, when he left the game in the fourth quarter after going down hard and not returning to the game. Last week, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said he was making progress day by day and that he made a game-time decision on Monday. Although he was ultimately eliminated from the competition, Isaac completed his pre-game shooting slot and was visible during the open shootaround periods.

Bitadze’s injury was added to the injury report late on the morning of Monday’s Pacers game. It was clarified that it was a strained tendon in his left foot after initially being reported as a sore left foot, but Mosley said during his pre-match availability on Monday night that he would also try to give it a go. He was a game-time decision before he was also ruled out.

Notably, Franz Wagner and Tristan da Silva — who each battled illnesses before Monday’s Indiana game — are not listed in the Magic’s report. Wagner left Monday night’s game with the same illness that made him questionable when he left just 11 minutes into the evening and missed the entire second half.

No roster for Wednesday night against the Bulls should mean the 6-10 fourth-year forward is ready to go. The same goes for da Silva, who was available but did not play in the Magic’s win over the Pacers on Monday.

12:15 p.m. Wednesday update: During the team’s shootaround, Jamahl Mosley said that Jonathan Isaac was “doing well” and that it was a game-winning decision tonight. Goga Bitadze “probably won’t be able to attend tonight,” Mosley said.

6:15 p.m. ET Wednesday Update: After missing the previous three games with a bruised left hip, Jonathan Isaac will be available for Orlando vs. Chicago. When asked if he would be placed on a minutes restriction tonight, Mosley said the team will “continue to monitor” him. Missing three games was more a question of “conditioning factor than anything else,” he said.

Goga Bitadze (left foot tendon strain) has been downgraded to out. He missed his second game in a row.

Lonzo Ball is on the injury report with a new name. Previously, Ball was listed in reports for treatment of left knee injuries; He is only listed as questionable because he had soreness in his right wrist on Wednesday night. New to the report is Jalen Smith with a left ankle sprain.

Tuesday update, 9:00 p.m.: Ball was downgraded to OUT after Ball was diagnosed with a right wrist sprain. The Bulls say he will be out for at least 10 days.

6:15 p.m. ET Wednesday Update: Bulls coach Billy Donovan said Jalen Smith (left ankle sprain) will be available tonight against Chicago.

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