Magic’s Jalen Suggs returns from ankle injury vs. Grizzlies
Orlando Magic second-year guard Jalen Suggs made his return from injury in Thursday’s home game vs. the Memphis Grizzlies.
Suggs, sidelined since exiting the Nov. 25 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers with right ankle soreness, had missed the previous 19 games.
He fully participated in practices Monday and Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s home game vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Suggs wasn’t available vs. the Thunder, but coach Jamahl Mosley hinted he would be soon.
Suggs responded “ASAP, I feel great.” when asked Tuesday if there was a timetable to return.
“ASAP” turned out to be against the Grizzlies.
“I’ve had the biggest smile on my face these past two weeks, just being able to do more every day, ramping up,” Suggs said earlier in the week. “Going from the weight room to actual on-court workouts to 1s, to 3s to now playing 5s. All of it’s been great.”
Suggs, the No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft, has dealt with right ankle issues since last year.
He sat five games (Oct. 22-30) because of a sprained right ankle. He played in November’s first 12 games before sitting with ankle soreness.
Suggs had various right ankle ailments that sidelined him for 13 of the final 18 games last season. He had surgery to address a stress fracture early in the offseason, limiting how much he could participate in basketball activities.
“We did the surgery to take care of all the problems,” Suggs said. “It just kind of ended up coming back, so making sure the issues are put to rest and it’s not something we have to worry about anymore before it becomes a bigger issue.
“Things don’t always work out how you want it to. Now that it came back, taking our time, making sure we’re deliberate with it, and making sure when I do come back, there’s no soreness.”
Suggs came off the bench and was on a minutes restriction Thursday.
Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. were in the starting lineup for the first time.
Bol Bol (health and safety protocols), R.J. Hampton (G League assignment), Kevon Harris (transferred to G League as part of his two-way contract), Jonathan Isaac (left knee injury recovery) and Chuma Okeke (left knee surgery) weren’t available.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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