Jalen Suggs, big start before premature exit

He inherited a perfectly open shot, thanks to the fixation of Paolo Banchero, into the corner. But Jalen Suggs could not convert. Then, when he was about to return to the defense, he put his hand on his hip, visibly embarrassed.

A few seconds earlier, midway through the third quarter this match between Orlando and New Yorkthe Magic player went to penetrate in front of Karl-Anthony Towns and fell violently on his butt. Even earlier, at the end of the first period, he went down badly after a penetration ended in “2+1”.

Shot in the hip, he had to leave his partners prematurely seven minutes from the end of the match that ended up being won by the New Yorkers. “ I don’t even know. We’ll figure out what it is », he replied to the journalists about what happened to him.

« He had a lot of hits. He has a sore hip right now. “, describes Jamal Mosley, whose player had to use a wheelchair to get to the bus to avoid a long walk after the match.

« We’ll look at it when we come back, but at the end of the day, he’s a warrior because he’s on the field and he’s dealing with what he’s going through. », adds the coach, whose warrior in question was well on his way to signing his best match in his career.

The author of the first converted shot of the evening, the playmaker started so well, especially in the game on the periphery, that he was already at 10 points after seven minutes of play. Showing some skill on the 3-pointer, he increased his odds to 25 points at the break!

Very close to a career best

The rest will therefore be less happy, as he will be content to make one free throw. In 29 minutes, Jalen Suggs scored 26 points (10/16 on shots, including 2/8 from distance) and 7 assists. But apparently he could not complete his effort.

« This is the hardest part. I really tried (to play). There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than on the field battling with my guys, especially in a close game », regrets the 5th pick in the 2021 draft, whose career record is 32 points.

Unfortunately for him, the injury factor has been known since his first steps in the big leagues. Before the game against the Knicks, he missed several games to rest a sore knee.

« He struggled with pain for several matches. He’s doing his best for the team and playing through the pain a little bit, so hopefully it’s not too serious, regardless of the injury. We don’t want to lose him. He gave us a great first half. Unfortunately, he could not play in the second half », also regrets Paolo Banchero.

A longer absence of his teammate, who averaged 21 points in four previous outings, would be another blow to the Magic team, which he had already lost Franz Wagner.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.