The Orlando Magic can’t catch a break as Jalen Suggs left the game against the Toronto Raptors on a wheelchair, apparently injuring his back.
With under four minutes remaining in the second quarter, Suggs was defending Ochai Agbaji when he looked to intercept a pass by Immanuel Quickley. Suddenly, he fell to the court without any contact and was immediately writhing in pain and clutching his back.
Suggs was then placed in a wheelchair with the aid of his teammates as players and staff from both sides looked on.
Jalen Suggs was forced to exit Friday’s game in a wheelchair after sustaining an apparent back injury. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/bEsFET9x8J
— Magic on FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Magic) January 4, 2025
Suggs Injury Hands Magic Another Blow
Paolo Banchero has already missed two months while Franz Wagner has been out since Dec. 7 with the same oblique injury. His brother, Mo Wagner, was ruled out for the season Dec. 22 after sustaining a torn ACL.
Both Anthony Black and Gary Harris missed Friday’s game with injuries as well.
All the injuries appear to be taking a toll, as the Magic are 5-8 entering Friday’s action following a 15-7 start that saw them as one of the top teams in the East.
As a result of the slide, Orlando has slid from third to fourth in the East and just a couple games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and Atlanta Hawks.
Help On The Way?
In some positive news, Banchero did go through some light contact work last Tuesday and so that does provide some light at the end of the tunnel.
Banchero looked to have taken a major step forward at the start of the season, averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists including a 50-point game on Oct. 28 against Indiana.
Several players have stepped up in the absence of Banchero and Wagner, including center Goga Bitadze, Tristan da Silva, and Wendell Carter Jr.
Suggs was a major contributor even before the injuries and showed real leadership in the absence of those key players.
