Getty Images
The Orlando Magic announced Saturday morning that security guard Jalen Suggs suffered a capsular sprain of his left knee and a bone contusion following an MRI. There is no timeline for Suggs’ return as it depends on his response to treatment.
Suggs sustained the injury during Orlando’s preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. A little over four minutes from the end of the first quarter, Suggs took an awkward step onto his left leg in what appeared to be a hyperextension. The sophomore guard, picked by Orlando in the 2021 draft with the No. 5 overall pick, was helped back to the locker room while his left leg received very little weight.
Injuries are always devastating, but especially so when they come early in the season. Suggs started the Magic’s first two preseason games and could return for first-unit point guard duties on his return. The Gonzaga product started his NBA career averaging 11.8 points, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 48 games as a rookie last season.
While the Magic aren’t expected to compete this season, they’ve built a solid core of young players in the likes of Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and this year’s #1 draft pick Paolo Banchero. Suggs is an important part of that future as he has shown himself to be a solid two-way player in this league.
If Suggs stays out for an extended period, Mosley would likely split his minutes between Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton while Markelle Fultz continues his recovery from a broken left big toe.