Magic Face Familiar Injury Fears After Jalen Suggs Exits Loss

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The Orlando Magic’s NBA Cup run ends with another injury scare. Jalen Suggs delivers a dominant first half before a hip injury forces his exit and once again, Orlando waits on health more than answers.

The Orlando Magic cannot seem to catch a break as they watch yet another one of their star players go down with injury. Jalen Suggs exited Orlando’s 132-120 semifinal loss to the New York Knicks with a left hip injury after attempting to play through visible discomfort in the third quarter. The fifth-year guard had been electric before the setback, scoring 25 points in the first half alone while going shot for shot with Knicks star Jalen Brunson. Suggs is expected to be evaluated when the team returns to Orlando on Sunday.

“It’s the part that sucks the most,” Suggs said in the locker room afterward. “I truly tried [to play]. There’s nowhere else I would have rather been than on the court battling with my guys, especially in a close game. But [God] be having other plans, and I can’t be mad at his plans.”

A dominant half ends in frustration

Suggs’ injury cut short what was shaping up to be one of the best offensive performances of his NBA career. He was consistently getting downhill against New York’s defense, pushing the pace in transition, and finishing through contact at the rim. Orlando leaned heavily on his shot creation early, and he delivered.

The injury occurred with 5:58 remaining in the third quarter when Knicks forward OG Anunoby stripped Suggs on a drive to the basket. Suggs immediately let out a yell and grabbed at his left hip. He limped through the next few possessions before a timeout stopped play.

Suggs reentered the game briefly after the stoppage but checked out again a few minutes later for what proved to be the final time. When asked what caused the injury, Suggs declined to speculate.

“I don’t even know,” he said. “We’ll figure out what it is.”

He finished the night with 26 points in just over 29 minutes, with 25 of those coming before halftime. After his exit, the Knicks gradually pulled away, using their depth and offensive balance to close out the win.

Familiar injury concerns resurface

The scene in the locker room underscored the concern surrounding Suggs’ status. He struggled to get to his feet and walk following the game, and he later exited the arena aided by a wheelchair. Team officials described the wheelchair usage as a precaution to limit unnecessary movement, but the hip injury is clearly cause for concern.

“We’re going to look at it when we get back,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “At the end of the day, he’s a warrior for being out there and dealing with what he’s dealing with. I think we’ll evaluate him when we get back home and see where he is with it.”

Unfortunately for Orlando, injuries have been a recurring reality throughout Suggs’ career. Now in his fifth NBA season, he has played more than 53 games only once. Last season ended in January after a knee injury required surgery, and his rehabilitation process stretched through most of October.

“He’s been battling through some pain the last few games,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said. “He’s just been giving it his all for the team and kind of playing through it, so you hope it’s not too bad, whatever the injury is. We don’t want to lose him.

“He gave us a great effort in that first half,” Banchero added. “Unfortunately, he couldn’t go in the second half.”

Stakes rising for a short-handed Magic

Suggs’ injury adds to an already growing list of concerns for a Magic team navigating significant health issues. Franz Wagner remains sidelined with a high left ankle sprain, while Moritz Wagner continues recovering from an ACL tear suffered last season. Despite those absences, Orlando entered the NBA Cup semifinal hoping to reinforce its status as a rising contender in the Eastern Conference.

The schedule does provide a brief window to regroup. Orlando does not play again until Thursday, when it opens a four-game road trip in Denver. Still, any extended absence from Suggs would be a major blow to the team’s backcourt stability, defensive pressure, and offensive initiation.

“We know who he is and what he’s about,” Magic guard Desmond Bane said. “He wants to win more than anything. He laid it all on the line for us.”

For now, the Magic wait for clarity, hoping that another promising stretch isn’t once again overshadowed by the same familiar obstacle.

Jalon Dixon Jalon Dixon is a multi-platform sports journalist and content creator specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage. He blends writing, podcasting, and video analysis to deliver accessible, in-depth perspectives on basketball and beyond. More about Jalon Dixon