The Orlando Magic are back stateside and back to work-and while Jalen Suggs won’t suit up just yet, there’s a glimmer of good news for fans hoping to see the guard return soon.
Suggs has officially been ruled out for Thursday night’s home game against the Charlotte Hornets, but the team’s latest injury report listed him as questionable earlier in the day. That’s a meaningful shift in status, especially for a player who’s been sidelined for over three weeks with a right knee MCL contusion. Head coach Jamahl Mosley confirmed the decision to hold Suggs out, but also noted encouraging signs in his recovery.
“He came up OK after yesterday’s work,” Mosley told reporters, signaling that Suggs is progressing through on-court activities without setbacks. It’s not a green light just yet, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
Suggs last played on January 2 in a 121-114 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Before exiting early in the third quarter, he was putting together a strong performance-11 points, four assists, three boards, and a steal in just 20 minutes, shooting an efficient 4-for-6 from the field and perfect from the line. That short stint was a snapshot of the kind of impact he’s had all season.
Now in his fifth NBA campaign, Suggs has emerged as one of Orlando’s most reliable two-way players. He’s averaging 15.0 points per game while posting career highs in assists (4.7) and steals (1.9), along with 3.7 rebounds. He’s also shooting a career-best 47.1% from the floor-numbers that underscore just how much the Magic miss his presence, especially on the defensive end where his energy and instincts set the tone.
The timing of his potential return matters, too. Orlando comes into Thursday’s matchup at 23-19, fresh off a European swing where they split two games-beating the Grizzlies in Berlin before falling in London. The Hornets, sitting at 16-28, offer a winnable home test before the Magic face a tougher stretch, including back-to-back meetings with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The team is clearly being cautious with Suggs, and rightfully so. Knee injuries-especially involving the MCL-require patience, and Orlando isn’t rushing him back just to chase a midseason win. But the upgrade to questionable status hints that his return could be right around the corner, possibly even within the next few games if his knee continues to respond well to increased activity.
Looking ahead, the Magic host Cleveland on Saturday before heading out for a two-game road trip that begins-fittingly-back in Cleveland. It’s a critical stretch for a young team trying to solidify its playoff positioning in a competitive Eastern Conference.
And if Suggs is back on the floor soon, it could be the boost Orlando needs to keep climbing.