GOGA BITADZE NEWS

Starting sans Carter Bitadze will start Wednesday's preseason game against the Spurs.

Impact With Wendell Carter (ankle) likely sidelined for a few games, Bitadze gets first crack as the starting center. Moritz Wagner should also see increased minutes as long as Carter is unavailable.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Staying in Orlando Bitadze and the Magic agreed to a three-year, $25 million contract Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Impact In his first full season with the Magic, Bitadze made 62 appearances and 33 starts. As a starter, he averaged 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals in 23.8 minutes. As a reserve, Bitadze averaged just 2.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.9 minutes per game. Wendell Carter has two years left on his current deal, so Bitadze projects to be a backup again in 2024-25.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Used sparingly in loss Bitadze finished with no counting stats over two minutes during Tuesday's 118-106 loss to Houston.

Impact Bitadze continues to play as the third-string center for the Magic, logging fewer than 10 minutes for the 16th straight game. Given he has failed to see the floor in eight of those games, there is no reason to speculate that he might have a meaningful role down the stretch.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench Bitadze will return to a reserve role in Friday's matchup with the Knicks.

Impact Bitadze replaced Wendell Carter (knee) as a starter in the Magic's previous game. With the latter healthy enough to return, Bitadze will return to his usual role as a reserve.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Starting sans Carter Bitadze will start Wednesday's game against the Wizards.

Impact Wendell Carter (knee) is getting the second night of a back-to-back off, so Bitadze will draw his 33rd start of the season despite not being a regular part of the rotation the last few games. Bitadze has averaged 7.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 blocks and 0.8 steals in 23.8 minutes as a starter this season.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench Bitadze won't start Tuesday's game against the Nets.

Impact Paolo Banchero (illness) remains out for a second straight game, but the Magic are switching up their first five after starting Bitadze and Wendell Carter in the frontcourt during Sunday's loss to Atlanta. Gary Harris and Caleb Houstan are the new additions to the starting lineup, while Bitadze and Anthony Black will operate off the bench.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Atlanta Bitadze is starting Sunday's game against Atlanta, Wendell Epps of Bally Sports Florida reports.

Impact Bitadze has been an inconsistent part of Orlando's rotation recently, but he'll join the starting lineup Sunday since Paolo Banchero (illness) has been ruled out. Over 31 starts this year, Bitadze has averaged 7.8 points and 7.4 rebounds in 24.0 minutes per game.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Excised from rotation Bitadze (coach's decision) went unused off the bench in Sunday's 105-87 win over the Heat.

Impact Following Wendell Carter's return from a five-game absence Jan. 15, Bitadze had maintained his spot in the starting five for the ensuing three contests, but he dropped to the bench Sunday with Carter being awarded his first start since Dec. 27. Bitadze ended up moving out of the rotation entirely, as head coach Jamahl Mosely elected to deploy Moritz Wagner as the center on the second unit rather than Bitadze when Carter was off the floor. Though Wagner isn't as skilled of a rim protector as Bitadze, power forward Jonathan Isaac is a rangy shot blocker off the bench, and Wagner provides the Magic with more of a floor-spacing element than Bitadze. With that in mind, it's conceivable that Bitadze continues to find himself outside of the rotation more often than not moving forward, assuming Carter continues to start.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Coming off bench Sunday Bitadze is coming off the bench for Sunday's game against the Heat, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Impact Bitadze started in his last 11 appearances and averaged 6.9 points and 8.0 rebounds in 23.7 minutes per game during that time. However, he'll retreat to the bench with Wendell Carter starting against Miami.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Records double-double in loss Bitadze provided 10 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 24 minutes during Wednesday's 106-104 loss to Atlanta.

Impact Bitadze has done a good job playing a starting role in recent weeks, and his two-way contributions have made him a valuable contributor for the Magic while also pushing him to fantasy relevancy. Through his last 10 games, Bitadze is averaging 7.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 62.7 percent from the field.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Double-digit boards in win Bitadze finished Monday's 98-94 victory over the Knicks with three points (1-3 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds and three assists over 29 minutes.

Impact Wendell Carter returned to the lineup Monday after a five-game absence due to a knee issue, but Bitadze remained in the starting five and continued to be a presence on the glass. Since moving into the starting lineup in late December, Bitadze has pulled down at least six rebounds in nine straight contests, averaging 7.1 points, 8.4 boards, 1.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.8 steals in 24.6 minutes a game while shooting 62.8 percent from the floor. Monday's game was the first time in that stretch the 24-year-old center failed to record either a block or a steal.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs nine boards in limited time Bitadze ended with eight points (4-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals over 22 minutes during Saturday's 112-100 loss to Oklahoma City.

Impact Bitadze failed to score in double digits for the third game in a row, but he continues to find ways to impact the action even if he's seeing limited minutes in a starting role. Bitadze has started in each of Orlando's last eight games, grabbing at least seven rebounds six times in that span and averaging 7.6 points with 8.1 rebounds across 24.0 minutes per game.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Records double-double Sunday Bitadze produced 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 28 minutes during Sunday's 117-110 overtime win over Atlanta.

Impact Bitadze was impressive on both ends of the court Sunday, grabbing double-digit rebounds for the fifth time this season and posting his 12th outing with 10 or more points. Bitadze is having a strong season and seems to have settled in well in a starting role, though the injury issues of Wendell Carter (knee) have pushed him into a more prominent role. He's averaging 8.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 25 starts so far.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Bitadze (illness) is available and will start Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Impact Bitadze has been upgraded from questionable to available and will suit up after missing the previous contest due to an illness. With Wendell Carter (knee) sidelined, Bitadze and Moritz Wagner should garner major roles in Orlando's frontcourt. Over his last four appearances (all starts), Bitadze has averaged 9.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Bitadze (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Nuggets.

Impact Bitadze is in danger of missing his second straight game due to an illness. With Wendell Carter (knee) also questionable, Moritz Wagner could be in store for another start.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Will not play Friday Bitadze (illness) will not play in Friday's game against the Nuggets.

Impact Bitadze was a late addition to the injury report as the Magic have several players who are under the weather. With Wendell Carter (knee) also ruled out, Moritz Wagner is likely going to see a massive workload and will be a popular fantasy streamer as a result.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Now questionable Bitadze is a late addition to Friday's injury report and considered a game-time decision versus the Nuggets due to an illness, Wendell Epps of Bally Sports Florida reports.

Impact Bitadze's late addition to the injury report is not a positive sign given how close the game is to tip-off. Wendell Carter (knee) is also questionable, so frontcourt depth has the potential to be thin. That would mean extra minutes for the likes of Moritz Wagner and Chuma Okeke.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Posts 13 points in loss Bitadze racked up 13 points (6-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 26 minutes during Tuesday's 121-115 loss to the Warriors.

Impact Although Wendell Carter is off the injury report, the Magic opted for Bitadze in the starting lineup for a third consecutive game. It's an interesting situation monitor, as Carter has consistently been one of Orlando's centerpieces and isn't used to playing off the bench. His knee injury may be the source of the restriction, and it may be a while before Carter regains his role in the starting five.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Starting with Carter scratched Bitadze will start Friday's game against the Knicks after Wendell Carter (knee) was scratched from the lineup.

Impact The Magic initially announced that Carter would start at center but later ruled him out due to tendinitis in his right knee, so Bitadze will slot in at the five for his first start since Dec. 17. Across 20 starts this season, Bitadze has averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.9 blocks and 0.8 steals in 24.1 minutes per game.

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

DNP-CD against Milwaukee Bitadze didn't appear in Thursday's 118-114 loss to the Bucks due to a coach's decision.

Impact Bitadze saw a run of 20 consecutive starts come to an end Wednesday against the Heat when Wendell Carter returned to action. Bitadze tallied just four points, six rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 12 minutes during that matchup and didn't see any playing time during Friday's defeat. While Bitadze had some flashes of production in his starting role, he'll likely be on the fringes of Orlando's frontcourt rotation now that Carter is back on the court.

DECEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hollinger's All NBA Stocking Stuffer Team: Goga Bitadze, Keon Ellis and more Because of injury or ineffectiveness, a few teams have discovered (or rediscovered) surprises that were already right under their noses.

DECEMBER 22, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Heads to bench Bitadze isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Heat.

Impact Wendell Carter will replace Bitadze in the starting lineup Wednesday after missing the last 20 games with a fractured finger. Bitadze is averaging just 2.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 3.3 minutes across his previous three appearances coming off the bench this season. However, Carter will be on a minutes restriction against Miami, and Bitadze will likely split backup center minutes with Moritz Wagner.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records double-double Bitadze totaled 15 points (7-8 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist in 27 minutes during Friday's 128-111 loss to the Celtics.

Impact Bitadze has been a consistent presence down low as the primary fill-in for Wendell Carter (finger), and given the big man still doesn't have a concrete return date, Bitadze will continue to benefit from an expanded role in the meantime. This was Bitadze's third double-double since moving to a steady starting role, and he's averaging 8.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game when playing with the first unit.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Continues to impress Bitadze totaled 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and four blocks over 29 minutes during Monday's 104-94 victory over the Cavaliers.

Impact This was the second game in a row that Bitadze tallied four blocks, and it was his fifth game of the season with at least four. Wendell Carter (finger) has been sidelined since Nov. 2 and still doesn't have a concrete return date, so Bitadze will continue to benefit in the meantime. Through five December games, he's averaging 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.4 blocks.

DECEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet night Wednesday Bitadze finished Wednesday's 121-111 loss to Cleveland with six points (3-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds, three assists and one block over 25 minutes.

Impact Bitadze didn't offer much in the loss, continuing his recent mediocrity. Although he has been the starter for over a month, he is barely inside the top 120 in standard leagues over that time. Unless you are desperate for blocks and rebounds, there are likely better options available on a lot of waiver wires.

DECEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE