Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs is set to return on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers after a seven-game absence due to a left hip contusion. This announcement was made via the team’s official Twitter account. Suggs will resume his role in the starting lineup, a promising development for the Magic.
Magic’s Performance with and without Suggs
This season, the Magic have recorded a 13-8 record when Suggs plays. In contrast, their performance has dropped to 5-7 without him. Suggs has been a key contributor, showcasing his skills on both ends of the court.
- Points per game: 15.4
- Rebounds per game: 3.7
- Assists per game: 4.8
- Steals per game: 1.9
- Shooting percentages: 47.1% FG, 32.8% 3PT, 86.2% FT
Suggs sustained the injury during the NBA Cup semifinal against the New York Knicks. His impact on the game is illustrated by the statistics: while on the court for 538 minutes this season, the Magic outscored opponents by 9.6 points per 100 possessions. Conversely, in 1,056 minutes without him, they were outscored by 2.6 points per 100 possessions.
Injury Updates for the Magic and Pacers
Orlando will be without two players for Wednesday’s matchup: Jonathan Isaac, who has a sore left knee, and Jett Howard, who is sidelined due to illness.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers will also see a return. Guard Ben Sheppard, who has been absent for the last 11 games due to a left calf strain, will be available for the game. Sheppard last played on December 3. Before his injury, he averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 25.0 minutes per game, though his shooting percentage struggled at 35.4% from the field.
Head Coach Rick Carlisle indicated that Sheppard will likely have a minutes restriction as he returns to form. The team has a similar approach for Aaron Nesmith, who recently returned from a knee injury. Carlisle outlined a plan to “gradually progress” Nesmith’s playing time.
The upcoming game on Wednesday promises to be an interesting matchup for both teams as they welcome back important players. With Suggs and Sheppard returning, fans can expect competitive action on the court.
