Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley revealed that rookie Jalen Suggs could play on their upcoming three-game road trip beginning on Wednesday with the Washington Wizards.
Suggs suffered a fractured right thumb on Nov. 29 versus the Philadelphia 76ers when Joel Embiid inadvertently slapped him on the hand. Suggs checked out with 4:20 left in the fourth quarter and would not return to the contest.
Mosley said on Dec. 28 that Suggs was slowly making progress with the injury and the team would not rush him back. Suggs still has a splint on his thumb but Mosley said there is a chance he could play on the back-end of their road trip.
We’ll see how he goes on the back-end of this trip … I think we’re going to see how he responds to catching and ball movement and ballhandling as we go through practice and see where his comfort level is. I think that is going to be the best way to see how he responds.
The injury to Suggs came just as the fifth pick started to gain his footing in the NBA and turn the corner. He felt as though the game had started to slow down as he showed great control and poise running the team on a nightly basis leading up to the injury.
Despite missing the last 19 games, Suggs has still been able to sit in with the team on film sessions. He is on the bench at each home game while he has also traveled with the team on some recent road trips to stay connected with his teammates.
Mosley commended Suggs on how he has spent his time rehabbing.
He has used the time sitting with the coaches studying film, understanding things on the sideline. You will see him sometimes get up and throw suggestions and things he sees. I think that’s fantastic that our guys are so engaged with one another that they’re understanding what it is we’re asking them to do. He has grown physically with changes in his body. He has used this time off very well.
While the Magic have taken it slow with Suggs’ rehab, it appears as though the fifth pick is close to returning to the court. The return of Suggs will be important as he can use the second half of the season to get back into a groove on the court and continue his development.
Suggs is averaging 12.3 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 21 games. He currently ranks seventh in scoring average and third in assists among all first-year players.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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