Magic guard Jalen Suggs left Friday’s preseason game against Dallas in the first quarter after suffering what appears to be a left knee injury (video link via Chaz NBA). Suggs’ knee appeared to buckle and hyperextend after being shoved by Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie.
Suggs was on the ground for a while after the play holding his left knee and was helped to the locker room with assistance. Hopefully the injury was just a hyperextension and Suggs will be able to return to action sooner rather than later, but it certainly didn’t look good.
The 21-year-old was the fifth overall pick of last year’s draft after starring in college for Gonzaga. His 2021/22 rookie season was unfortunately plagued by injuries: Suggs sustained a fractured right thumb last November that caused him to miss 20 games, dealt with a right ankle sprain and a right ankle bone bruise in the second half of the season, then underwent right ankle surgery to repair a “slight” stress fracture in April.
Perhaps due in part to the injury-disrupted nature of his season, Suggs struggled in his pro debut, averaging 11.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 4.4 APG with a subpar .361/.214/.773 shooting line in 48 games (27.2 MPG). Still, he was a highly-touted prospect and Orlando is certainly hoping for big things from the athletic combo guard.
The Magic announced (via Twitter) that Suggs suffered a “lower left leg injury” and won’t return to the contest. He will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury.
Magic are tanking on purpose much like OKC.
Orlando is tanking no matter if it’s on purpose or not.
Cuz pre season tanking gets you all the top picks
B……U……..S…….T
It’s amazing that one half court game-winning shot can get you drafted in the lottery.
Biggest bust in recent memory.
It’s been what? One whole season? Yeah this kids definitely a bust!!!!!!
Orlando is among the worst teams in the NBA when it comes to the NBA Draft. That is a real problem when you are IN the Draft Lottery every season.
Jon Isaac has had at least one setback in his recovery. Mo Bamba = Bust. Jalen Suggs = Bust. Let’s see what Banchero is about.
Not much left to be done to make the roster much worse. Worst team in the East. Gonna be a heckuva battle between Orlando and San Antonio for worst team in NBA.
Yup, I’d be shocked if either of my two teams win 30 games this year
France Wagner seems like a good pick, Suggs is entering his second season and they knew Bamba was a project when they picked him. Banchero is a good pick although I think they should’ve just taken Smith.
It’s not just about the Lottery. Orlando has been picking for years with close to nothing to show for it.
Lakers – Zubic, Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Kuzma, Talen Horton-Tucker, etc. These are not Lottery Picks!
You only have to hit with high picks occasionally. You can have misses high. However, you have to find some hits late in the first round, or 2nd round, or via free agency.
They should trade fultz and bamba
If only Orlando picked Kuminga instead of this dude!!!
I’m not suggesting Suggs has been stellar or anything, but can we wait a little longer before automatically branding someone a “bust.” Have some patience…
This helps the magic
Dude hasn’t even played a full season yet. Let’s wait a bit before we call him a bust eh?