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.
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.
