Franz Wagner Expects to Play Against Hawks

Orlando forward Franz Wagner said he practiced fully and expects to play in Wednesday’s season opener against Atlanta after leaving the preseason finale with right shoulder soreness. The Hawks finished the preseason 4-1, winning their final four games and closing with a 135-111 victory over Dallas, where Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Jalen Johnson had 20 points and 14 rebounds. Rookie Kingston Flemings also impressed, while Alexander-Walker’s perimeter shooting and Johnson’s ability to draw fouls offered encouraging signs. Atlanta’s depth at small forward, power forward and third center remains a concern, and Dyson Daniels’ limited preseason three-point shooting is another area to watch.