There was a subdued feeling emanating from the Orlando Magic after their 108-98 Friday loss to the Atlanta Hawks — and never simply because it was their second down-to-the-wire loss to open the season.
Second-year guard Jalen Suggs left within the third quarter with an ankle harm, with the Magic saying he sprained it and that he’d get evaluated additional as soon as they obtained again to Orlando on Saturday for his or her house opener in opposition to the Boston Celtics at Amway Center.
He sat for Saturday’s sport, becoming a member of Markelle Fultz (fractured left huge toe), Gary Harris (left knee rehabilitation), Jonathan Isaac (left knee rehabilitation) and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot).
Suggs appeared to have twisted the ankle on the drive earlier than touchdown awkwardly on his proper leg after being fouled.
He took 2 free throws and Wendell Carter Jr. dedicated a take foul on Clint Capela so Cole Anthony may sub in for Suggs, who initially went to the bench however hopped again to the locker room with group trainers earlier than being dominated out within the fourth.
“My heart goes out to the kid,” mentioned coach Jamahl Mosley. “He’s working and continuing to battle no matter what happens. He’s continued to put the work in despite injuries. He’s doing the work with the film. He’s a resilient, tough kid. He’s going to continue to bounce back.”
Suggs isn’t too far faraway from a left knee harm — a capsule sprain and bone bruise — he suffered in the course of the Magic’s preseason win over the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 7.
He missed the ultimate two preseason video games however was cleared for the regular-season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, scoring 21 factors (8 of 11 capturing, 4 of 6 on 3s) in 25 minutes earlier than fouling out within the fourth.
Suggs, who primarily guarded Trae Young whereas on the ground, was a major motive why the All-Star struggled in Friday’s first half (2 factors — 0-for-7, together with 0-for-5 on 3s with 8 assists and three turnovers). He additionally was lively within the passing lanes, grabbing 3 steals in 16 minutes. Young, who began to search out his rhythm as a scorer after Suggs’ exit, completed with 25 factors (7 of 24, together with 4 of 11 on 3s), 13 assists and 6 turnovers.
“It’s tough seeing all the work he did to get back from the knee sprain,” rookie Paolo Banchero mentioned. “To have that happen, you just feel for him. He’s a competitor. He wants to be out there. He was playing well, too. To see him go down like that, you never want to see that.”
Resiliency has been crucial for Suggs, particularly with the harm misfortunes he’s had since being drafted with the No. 5 decide in 2021.
Suggs had an up-and-down rookie season partially due to accidents that restricted him to 48 video games.
He was sidelined for 20 video games from early December by mid-January after fracturing his proper thumb and handled accidents to his proper ankle that sidelined him for 13 of the ultimate 18 video games. Suggs had surgical procedure to handle a stress fracture in his proper ankle — the identical one he injured Friday — early within the offseason, limiting how a lot he may take part in basketball actions.
In the long term, the Magic are assured he’ll be OK however displayed empathy with him getting injured once more.
“You never want to see anyone get injured, especially your brother who you work with every day,” Anthony mentioned. “Definitely sucks just knowing how hard the kid works. I wish he didn’t get hurt. I know when he’s back, he’ll be ready. He’ll be good.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com