Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs suffered a Grade 1 MCL contusion in his right knee during Friday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls. There’s no structural damage to Suggs’ knee, a source told Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel. His timeline for return will depend on how he responds to treatment, the Magic said Saturday.
Jalen Suggs Suffers Another Injury
Suggs was just two games into a return from a left hip contusion that kept him out for seven games. He grabbed at his knee in pain after being fouled on a drive to the basket. The former first-rounder was able to stay in the game and shoot his free throws, but he exited after 20 minutes played.
In addition, Suggs was limited to 35 games last season and underwent arthroscopic surgery in March to remove a cartilage fragment in his left knee. Jan. 25 was his final appearance for Orlando in 2024-25.
Through 23 appearances (all starts) this campaign, Suggs is averaging 15.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.9 steals, and 25.4 minutes per outing, with a shooting line of 47.1/33.1/85.7.
In October 2024, Suggs signed a five-year, $150.5 million rookie contract extension with the franchise.
It came after Suggs’ breakout season in his third year, helping Orlando rank third in defensive efficiency in 2023-24. He became the third Magic player to make an NBA All-Defensive Team, joining Dwight Howard and Horace Grant.
Franz Wagner Out With A High Ankle Sprain
The Magic, who have also been without star forward Franz Wagner, entered Saturday night’s games at 19-16 and eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Wagner remains sidelined due to a high ankle sprain he suffered on Dec. 7.
He immediately grabbed his knee while sitting on the floor in pain. The 6-foot-10 wing was then helped off the court by older brother Moritz Wagner and rookie Noah Penda.
“You never want to see anybody go down, but that hurt my heart, watching him hit the floor,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said after the game. … We just don’t like to see that happen to him, especially [Wagner], who does everything the right way at all times he’s on the floor.”
Through 24 games (all starts), Wagner is averaging 22.7 points, a career-high 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 33.4 minutes per contest while shooting a career-best 49% from the field and 36% from deep.
The Magic visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
