Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs exited the NBA Cup semifinal against the New York Knicks with a left hip injury on Saturday night. The incident occurred late in the second quarter when Suggs was fouled and landed awkwardly. Despite the setback, he managed to finish the game, contributing 26 points, with 25 scored in the first half. The Magic ultimately lost the game, 132-120.
Concern Over Suggs’ Injury
Upon leaving the arena, Suggs was assisted by a wheelchair, a precautionary measure to minimize discomfort during the trip back to the hotel. Head coach Jamahl Mosley expressed concern about the injury but praised Suggs for his determination to play through the pain. “We’re going to look at it when we get back,” Mosley stated. “At the end of the day, he’s a warrior.”
Magic’s Injury Challenges
The Magic will now await further evaluation of Suggs’ condition when they return home. The timing adds to the team’s existing injury woes, as they are already missing key players. Franz Wagner is sidelined with a high ankle sprain, while Moritz Wagner is recovering from an ACL tear.
- Jalen Suggs: Left hip injury, 26 points in the game.
- Franz Wagner: High ankle sprain.
- Moritz Wagner: Recovering from ACL tear.
Magic forward Paolo Banchero highlighted Suggs’ commitment, saying he has been battling through pain in recent games and giving maximum effort. “You hope it’s not too bad,” Banchero remarked, emphasizing the importance of keeping Suggs healthy.
Next Steps for the Magic
The Magic will travel back home following their semifinal loss and do not have another game until Thursday, where they will face the Denver Nuggets to kick off a four-game road trip. Any prolonged absence of Suggs would pose a significant challenge for a team already grappling with injury issues over the past few seasons.
