Is Jalen Suggs playing tonight? Magic vs. Nuggets injury report

The Orlando Magic released his own latest injury report Saturday afternoon as they prepare for their second meeting of the season against the Denver Nuggets, with Jalen Suggs’ availability is in question again.

The Magic (17-14) listed Suggs as questionable with a left hip contusion ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Nuggets (22-8), scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Orlando and Denver meet for the second time this season after the Nuggets won 126-115 in the opener on Dec. 18.

Suggs missed Orlando’s last five games, a stretch in which the Magic went 2-3. That range includes a 120-105 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, a result that halted any momentum built earlier in the week. Orlando continued to juggle the rotation while awaiting clarification on the status of his starting quarterback.

Suggs, 24, last appeared on December 13 during the Magic’s 132-120 loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas. He left that contest with a hip injury after a strong performance with 26 points, seven assists and two rebounds. Suggs shot 10-for-16 from the field, 2-for-8 from three-point range and 4-for-6 from the free throw line over 29 minutes before being sidelined.

Magic face Nuggets with Jalen Suggs doubtful, Goga Bitadze questionable

Through 21 games this season, Suggs has been the centerpiece of Orlando’s backcourt when he’s been available. The former second-team all-defensive selection is averaging 15.4 points, 4.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds and a career-high 1.9 steals per game. He is shooting 47.1% from the field and 32.8% from three-point range while playing 25.6 minutes per contest, providing steady two-way production.

In addition to Suggs, the Magic also listed veteran center Gogu Bitadze as questionable with a left knee strain. Bitadze has missed Orlando’s last two games and last played in a 120-97 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 22. In that game, he recorded two points, five rebounds, two steals and one block while playing 14 minutes off the bench.

Bitadze has taken on an important backup role for Orlando this season. The 26-year-old center is averaging 5.9 points, five rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting career highs 69.1% from the field and 78.6% from the free throw line. He appeared in 28 games and averaged 16.7 minutes per contest.

Saturday’s match marks the Magic’s last home game before the upcoming stretch. Following the contest against Denver, Orlando will embark on a three-game road trip beginning Monday night against the Toronto Raptors (18-14) at 7:30 PM ET.

With Suggs listed as questionable and Bitadze questionable, Orlando could again rely on lineup depth and flexibility as it looks to avoid another upset against a Denver team that controlled the first meeting and remains among the best teams in the Western Conference.