Jalen Suggs delivered an impressive performance with a remarkable 25-point first half, showcasing his potential as a leading player for the Orlando Magic. His evening got worse when during the semifinals of the NBA Cup against the New York Knicks, Banchero tweaked his ankle in the third quarter. He then sustained a traumatic left hip injury, causing him to exit the contest.
Suggs had been in a fierce battle with Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, exchanging shots and leading his team with confidence. His ability to drive to the basket and transition quickly set the tone early on, as he found ways to score effortlessly against New York’s defense. Unfortunately, with 5:58 remaining in the third quarter, Suggs experienced a setback when he lost possession of the ball after a steal by OG Anunoby.
Suggs initially attempted to play through the pain, returning to the game after a timeout. Yet soon, he was forced to boot back out, capping his night’s earnings. He left the court in obvious pain and had difficulty walking in the game’s postgame locker room.
“It’s the part that sucks the most,” – Jalen Suggs
Following the game, Suggs expressed frustration over the situation, indicating his desire to contribute fully to his team. He didn’t shy away from the fact that he was personally committed to winning. He would have wanted nothing more than to be on the court, fighting alongside his teammates.
Banchero pointed out that Suggs was playing through the pain that carried over from game to game.
“He’s been battling through some pain the last few games,” – Paolo Banchero
For his part, Banchero further underlined the importance Suggs has to their squad and added that they’re wishing the injury turns out to not be serious.
“We don’t want to lose him,” – Paolo Banchero
That one-point loss to the Knicks knocked Suggs and the 6-8 Magic out of contention in the inaugural NBA Cup semifinals. With Suggs’ injury potentially sidelining him for an extended period, questions arise about his starting point guard position moving forward. Suggs has been notoriously injury prone during his career. The “injury concerns” tag looms heaviest over him, as he missed at least 20 games in three of his first four NBA seasons and spent most of October recovering from surgery that cut his last season short.
During the game, and especially after the game, Suggs indicated that he was in emotional distress. It took him several moments to rise, the pain evident on his face. The Magic organization will want to reassess his body and injury situation to figure out how long he will be sidelined, if at all.
“He gave us a great effort in that first half … unfortunately, he couldn’t go in the second half,” – Paolo Banchero
Until then, fans and teammates alike will hope for good news on Suggs’ injury situation. In the meantime, they take time to remember his huge impact on the squad throughout the first portion of play and pray that he’s back soon.
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