The No. 8-seeded Orlando Magic’s already uphill climb against the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 today (1:30 ET, TNT) just got steeper.
Forward Aaron Gordon will miss the game with a strained left hamstring, while backup guard Michael Carter-Williams will also be out because of a strained left foot tendon. Gordon was Orlando’s fourth-leading scorer in 2019-20 (14.4 points per game) and its No. 2 rebounder (7.7 rpg) while shooting 43.7% overall and 30.8% on 3-pointers in 62 games.
Carter-Williams appeared in 45 games, averaging 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 18.5 minutes per game.
The Magic have ruled out Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Michael Carter-Williams (foot) for today's Game 1 against Milwaukee
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 18, 2020
Gordon missed the Magic’s last four seeding games with a strained left hamstring and Carter-Williams missed five straight with a strained left foot. Big man Mo Bamba is out for the season as he undergoes a post-coronavirus evaluation.
Additionally, Magic forward Jonathan Isaac tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Aug. 3 after making it back from a knee injury earlier in the season. Orlando dropped five straight immediately after losing Isaac before beating New Orleans in its final seeding game.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
