Magic guard Jalen Suggs left Orlando’s game at Toronto on Friday (Saturday, January 4, Manila time) in the second quarter after sustaining a back injury.
The Magic later ruled out Suggs for the game with back spasms.
Suggs lunged for a steal while running off a screen and immediately fell to the court holding his back. Play continued for a few seconds as Suggs lay on his side a few feet beyond the 3-point arc wailing in pain.
Suggs continued to wince as he was helped into a wheelchair and rolled off the court with 3:11 left before halftime. He tallied six points and an assist over 13 minutes to help Orlando build a 56-41 lead when he departed.
The fourth-year veteran is having his best season with the Magic since being drafted by the team in 2021. He’s averaging 16.8 points and 4.2 rebounds – both career-highs – while starting in all 34 games he has played
The Magic have been ravaged by injuries this season.
All-Star Paolo Banchero has not played since coming away with a torn oblique five games into the season, while fellow forward Franz Wagner has been sidelined since Dec. 6 with how own oblique injury.
Both are expected to be back this season, but center Moritz Wagner will not return after sustaining a torn ACL on Dec. 21.
If Suggs misses extended time, Orlando will be without its top four scorers. Center Goga Bitadze is fifth on the team with 9.9 points per game.
Despite their injury woes, the Magic (20-15) entered Friday’s game leading the Southeast Division by 1 1/2 games and had the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference. – Rappler.com
