Jalen Suggs isn’t interested in turning two losses into a crisis.
After Orlando fell to 0-2 with a 115-93 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Magic guard kept the focus on the details that have tripped up his team early: sharper execution, better physicality and cleaner work on the glass.
The shooting numbers told one part of the story. Orlando hit just eight of 39 3-point attempts, good for 20.5 percent from deep.
The defense had its own problems, even if the Magic managed to slow down the star-powered backcourt of LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards at times. The bigger issue came inside, where Minnesota grabbed 21 offensive rebounds.
Suggs said the fix starts with getting into offense sooner and playing with more force. He pushed the idea that the Magic have to move faster into their sets, stay aggressive and keep trusting the process even when the shots aren’t falling.
He also pointed to spacing and positioning as a key part of the problem. Orlando, he said, has to get into place quicker to open driving lanes and create cleaner looks from the perimeter. And while the outside shooting has been rough through two games, he didn’t sound concerned about the long view, noting that the group has shot well in training camp, preseason and the season opener.
For Suggs, the answer is not to stop shooting. It’s to keep taking the right ones with confidence.
The third quarter was another sore spot. Suggs said Minnesota raised its physicality and defensive pressure there, then took control of the possession battle by punishing Orlando on the boards. In his view, giving away around 20 extra shot attempts makes life far too hard.
He also shut down the notion that the missed shots on one end caused the issues on the other. The defensive problems, he said, were their own issue.
Second chances were especially frustrating. Suggs made it clear that allowing opponents multiple looks is a killer, and that the Magic have to finish possessions by securing rebounds so they can get out and run their own offense.
The broader message from Suggs was simple: this doesn’t need to be complicated. Orlando has to stay connected, communicate and listen to one another while handling both ends of the floor. He said everyone has a responsibility to keep the group locked in and operating the right way.
That includes creating better pressure on the rim and getting to the free-throw line. When the ball moves and players hit their spots, Suggs said, it opens the door for teammates to attack, draw fouls and put the defense on its heels.
Even with Desmond Bane going 1-for-9, Suggs remained upbeat about the looks Orlando generated for him. He said the team created quality opportunities through paint penetration and kickout passes, and he brushed off any bigger concern about Bane’s rough shooting night. For Suggs, that’s not something he expects to linger.
The Magic are winless, but Suggs isn’t reaching for panic. He’s asking for cleaner details, stronger rebounding and a steadier hand.
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