The Orlando Magic would’ve been more competitive against the Boston Celtics in the first round if Jalen Suggs was in the lineup. The former fifth overall pick was in the middle of a breakout year, but a knee injury ended his 2024-25 campaign prematurely.
With Suggs in the lineup, the Orlando Magic went 20-15. Without him, the team was 21-26. The 23-year-old combo guard averaged 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals on 41.0 percent shooting from the field across 35 starts.
During Orlando’s exit interviews, Suggs credited the team’s medical staff for helping him heal. The Gonzaga product said he expects to return for the team in full strength next season.
“I’m at a point now where I feel so good and comfortable and confident, I want to speed up,” Suggs stated. “It feels a lot better. There’s no pain. There’s just slight (discomfort) in some movements, so again, going at the pace that things are going, you know, we’re trying to make sure that we’re ready for each step, each goal marker.”
Orlando Magic News: Jalen Suggs makes vow to fans amid rehab progress
Jalen Suggs has earned the reputation of being one of the league’s top young defenders. He was named NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2024.
Due to his aggressive style of play, which involves a lot of sliding side-to-side, jumping to contest shots, and running like a maniac, Orlando Magic fans are concerned since he is coming off knee surgery. However, Suggs is eager to pick up where he left off.
“My mindset is preparing to get back to where we just came from, which is a playoff series. Like I said, I waited all year for it, and then I had to miss it,” Suggs said. “That was great motivation for me last summer, to go and grind, and get in a great space, both physically and mentally.”
