NBA Notes: Magic, Franz Wagner, Lakers, Deandre Ayton, Pistons

Magic

Franz Wagner is still working his way back. It hasn’t been easy.

The Magic forward has missed 40 of the past 44 games with a lingering ankle injury, and the timeline hasn’t gone as planned, as he told Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.

“Going into it, I was kind of expecting to feel really good within, like, four, six weeks,” Wagner said. “And obviously that wasn’t how I felt.”

Orlando remains short-handed. Anthony Black has missed six straight with an abdominal issue. Jonathan Isaac is also sidelined with a knee sprain.

Lakers

Deandre Ayton said it out loud. Then he backed it up.

After expressing frustration with his role last month, Ayton says he’s all in now, per Dan Woike of The Athletic. And it’s showing during the Lakers’ six-game winning streak (entering Wednesday).

“I’ve completely … I bought in,” Ayton said. “Completely, like 110 percent.”

The role is different. Less scoring. More defense, rebounding, effort.

“I said … we don’t need that,” Ayton added. “You came here to be the effort guy … run the damn floor … make superstars work.”

That’s been the shift, and for now, it’s working.

Pistons

Daniss Jenkins got his chance. He delivered.

With Cade Cunningham sidelined, Jenkins stepped in Tuesday and finished with 15 points, seven assists and two steals in 21 minutes, as relayed by Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.

It hasn’t been a straight line. Jenkins cooled off after earning a standard deal last month. Now, there’s an opening again.

“That’s what life is about,” he said. “Don’t get too high, don’t get too low.”

Cunningham is already out again with back spasms Thursday. Opportunity, back on the table.