The Orlando Magic’s backcourt bought more healthy Thursday, however that wasn’t sufficient for them to beat the West-leading Memphis Grizzlies.
Despite second-year guard Jalen Suggs making his return from harm, the Magic (14-25) fell to the Grizzlies (25-13) at Amway Center, 123-115.
Suggs, sidelined since exiting the Nov. 25 house loss to the Philadelphia 76ers with proper ankle soreness, missed the earlier 19 video games. But his return was restricted to 5 minutes within the first quarter.
He was already on an undisclosed minutes restriction, however a teammate by chance hit Suggs within the face throughout his lone stint.
“In line with the minutes restriction,” coach Jamahl Mosley responded when requested why Suggs didn’t return. “Didn’t want to give him too much.”
Suggs got here off the bench in his first recreation in six weeks, with Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. being the beginning lineup for the primary time.
The Magic and Grizzlies, each enjoying on the second half of a back-to-back after victories Wednesday, got here out sluggish. Both struggled to make beauty, resulting in Memphis having a 22-20 lead on the finish of the primary.
The Grizzlies broke the sport open within the second, outscoring the Magic 43-23 to take a 65-43 lead into halftime. Their largest lead was 25 in the midst of the third.
But the Magic slowly chipped away on the deficit to make the sport shut down the stretch.
Banchero and Terrence Ross (14 factors off the bench) made a pair of 3s towards the top of the third to trim Memphis’ result in 92-78 going into the fourth.
Fultz and Wagner flustered the Grizzlies defensively late within the fourth, resulting in Fultz helping Wagner on a pair of layups to chop the deficit to 116-108 with 3:03 remaining.
The Magic trimmed the Grizzlies’ result in 6 however didn’t get any nearer.
Carter fouled out contesting Ja Morant’s drive with the Magic down 120-114 with 1:21 remaining. Coach Jamahl Mosley problem the foul name however it wasn’t overturned as Memphis cruised to its fifth consecutive victory from there.
“Our guys stayed resilient, they stayed within the fight,” Mosley stated. “We gave ourselves a chance. Obviously, you don’t like being in that scenario early but that shows the fight and grit of our guys.”
Morant led the Grizzlies with 32 factors, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 31 factors, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Banchero had team-highs of 30 factors and 9 rebounds. Wagner completed with 22 factors on 6-of-10 taking pictures (8 of 10 on free throws) whereas Carter added 18 factors and seven rebounds.
The Magic will begin their five-road journey towards the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
Suggs absolutely participated in practices Monday and Tuesday forward of Wednesday’s house recreation vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Suggs wasn’t obtainable vs. the Thunder, however Mosley hinted he can be quickly.
Suggs responded “ASAP, I feel great.” when requested Tuesday if there was a timetable to return.
“ASAP” turned out to be towards the Grizzlies.
Suggs, the No. 5 decide within the 2021 draft, has handled proper ankle points since final 12 months.
He sat 5 video games (Oct. 22-30) due to a sprained proper ankle. He performed in November’s first 12 video games earlier than sitting with ankle soreness.
Suggs had varied proper ankle illnesses that sidelined him for 13 of the ultimate 18 video games final season. He had surgical procedure to deal with a stress fracture early within the offseason, limiting how a lot he may take part in basketball actions.
“We did the surgery to take care of all the problems,” Suggs stated. “It just kind of ended up coming back, so making sure the issues are put to rest and it’s not something we have to worry about anymore before it becomes a bigger issue.”
Bol Bol (well being and security protocols), R.J. Hampton (G League project), Kevon Harris (transferred to G League as a part of his two-way contract), Jonathan Isaac (left knee harm restoration) and Chuma Okeke (left knee surgical procedure) weren’t obtainable.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com