Injured his left knee a week ago in Orlando’s third preseason game against Dallas, Jalen Suggs will indeed be available for the Magic’s first game of the season, against the Pistons this Wednesday.
The fifth choice of the Draft 2021 has not been idle in the weight room and his work has paid off: he will be able to participate in the famous “opening night”.
“I knew what it was”he explains on Magic’s website. “I had suffered the same injury before. I knew exactly what I needed to do in bodybuilding to come back. That’s how I did it and I feel good now. I really don’t like to miss a game. We feel good, we play well. I want to be part of the team and help them win games. »
Not spoiled in wins (only 22) and not spoiled at all with a beginner season shortened to 48 games due to thumb and right ankle injuries, Jalen Suggs wants to get off to a good start for his second lap.
“We are still on four wins in a row and even if it’s only pre-season, it’s still a good dynamic on which we can surf”
The former Gonzaga player must be part of Orlando’s ambitious new project and it must start this season, with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero leading the way.
“We are starting to do the little things well. Whether it’s blocking on the rebound [défensif] or give us more second chances [au rebond offensif]. Our ball movement has been phenomenal for me, sometimes too much because guys have denied open shots. But it’s good, it was the preseason. We play these games to get rid of all that and find our rhythm on our actions and the different things we want to do defensively, on the changes after the screen. We were able to have different situations, tight matches, completely open matches, we were able to work well. We have four wins in a row and even if it’s only pre-season, it’s still a good dynamic on which we can surf. »
Young team if any, the Magic must however ensure that the work is done seriously. From beginning to end.
“We want to continue to tighten the screw”, says Jamahl Mosley. “We want to be sure that the guys understand exactly what we are asking them to do, that our fundamentals are respected in every game. And then you want to try and perform them at the highest possible level. We will obviously continue to talk about lost balls, defending without making a mistake. These are the types of things that we will continue to monitor. »
| Jalen Suggs | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | ORL | 48 | 27 | 36.1 | 21.4 | 77.3 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 11.8 |
| Total | 48 | 27 | 36.1 | 21.4 | 77.3 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 11.8 | |