After a dramatic playoff exit
NBA: Wagner brothers coach fired
May 4, 2026 – 5:39 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The Orlando Magic were on the verge of an upset in the NBA playoffs. But the team of Franz and Moritz Wagner lost a 3-1 series lead. This now has personnel consequences.
The German basketball stars Franz and Moritz Wagner and their national team colleague Tristan da Silva are getting a new coach at the Orlando Magic. Just one day after their first-round exit in the NBA playoffs, the team fired head coach Jamahl Mosley.
The club announced this on Monday. The season started with great expectations, but did not go as hoped due to numerous injuries. In the playoffs, Orlando initially got off to a strong start against the Detroit Pistons, but after Franz Wagner’s calf injury and his loss, they lost a 3-1 series lead against the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Mosley took over the team in July 2021 and his contract was only extended for four years in 2024. Recently, however, the coach has been increasingly criticized. After being eliminated in the seventh game, he said: “It’s been an absolutely incredible journey with these guys.”
Club boss Jeff Weltman said: “We are grateful to Jamahl for everything he has done for the Orlando Magic.” And further: “While this was a difficult decision, we believe it is time for a new voice and a fresh perspective.”
For Franz Wagner, who is under contract until 2030, the change in coaching is unlikely to change his future in Florida. The situation is different for his brother Moritz: the 29-year-old’s contract expires in the summer, and he recently only played a smaller role in the playoffs.
