Anthony Black Sits Out Monday for 'Injury Management' as Magic Stumble

The Orlando Magic are officially resting Anthony Black for Monday's matchup against the Washington Wizards, slapping the dreaded "injury management" tag on the 22-year-old guard.

"Injury management" in early November is the NBA equivalent of taking a mental health day on a Tuesday. You probably need it, but everyone in the office is going to ask questions. According to Underdog NBA, Black will be in street clothes when the Wizards roll into town.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Anthony Black (injury management) listed out Monday.'"

To be fair to Black, his medical chart has been busy lately. He has already popped up on injury reports this year with an abdominal strain and a quad contusion. When your core and your legs are both barking before Thanksgiving, sitting out a random Monday game is just good business.

The Magic could really use healthy bodies right now, though. Orlando is stumbling out of the gate with a 2-4 record, sitting ninth in an Eastern Conference that currently features the Detroit Pistons in second place. Yes, you read that right.

Orlando's underlying numbers are just as ugly as their record. They rank 25th in the league with a -9.1 net rating and are coming off back-to-back double-digit losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. Bettors looking at Monday's slate now have to figure out who absorbs Black's minutes in a backcourt that is already struggling to generate consistent offense.

Missing a game against the Wizards is a missed opportunity for easy stats, but the Magic are looking at the bigger picture. Orlando kicks off a brutal Western Conference road trip on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns, followed by a Saturday date with the Golden State Warriors. If Black is going to get right, doing it before that gauntlet is the only move that makes sense.