Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley on Friday said the early foul trouble Jalen Suggs experienced versus the Houston Rockets can be a strong learning moment for the fifth pick.
Suggs picked up three fouls within the first three minutes of action during the 119-111 win. He was first whistled for an offensive foul and then had two come on the defensive end of the floor just seconds later, prompting Mosley to sub him out of the game.
He eventually fouled out with 4:44 left in the fourth quarter.
The former Gonzaga standout has proven to be a strong defender at the guard position. He has dazzled at times with his ability to play the passing lanes and keep his matchup in front of him.
Mosley said Suggs will need to find a balance in those situations.
I think those are big moments. We’ll watch film tomorrow, go back and look at certain situations and the time and understanding when your aggression is necessary and when it’s not. You don’t want to take that away from that young man because that is part of what makes him, him. But understanding when, where and how you want to be able to defend the ball the right way, whether your active hands and knowing when to do that.
Suggs finished with three points, one rebound and one steal in 14 minutes of action. The three points by Suggs were his second-lowest output of the season, behind his one-point outing on Feb. 8 when he left early because of an Achilles injury.
While the outing was short-lived, Suggs had perhaps the play of the game. Early in the second quarter, Suggs swiped the ball from the Rockets and found himself in a one-man fastbreak situation. He slowed down, then threw the ball off the backboard to himself and slammed it in.
SHOWTIME @jalensuggs
đź“ş: https://t.co/3b5LcPuNP3 https://t.co/4hZIXNZ8FX pic.twitter.com/Gelo6zMrNr
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 26, 2022
The Magic have often said this season is about learning experiences for their young players, and the contest on Friday proved to be no different for Suggs. He will be able to correct the mistakes made and apply that to future games this season.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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