The 2021-22 season has been a difficult one for the Orlando Magic thus far. They have the lowest winning percentage in the NBA at .182 with a record of 4-18. They are the only franchise that does not have a winning percentage of at least .200 and are riding a seven-game losing streak.
That losing streak could continue growing, as they will be battling against yet another injury. Rookie Jalen Suggs, who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga, suffered a fractured right thumb on Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
He will be sidelined for an extended period of time, something that ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski also reported. Wojnarowski shared that Suggs was returning back to Orlando to determine the severity of the injury to figure out a timetable, but that he would be sidelined for several weeks.
This is a tough blow for a Magic team that was already down one starting backcourt player in Cole Anthony. Anthony hasn’t played since November 19th because of an ankle injury.
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One of his backups, Michael Carter-Williams, is also dealing with an ankle injury. Orlando is also without Markelle Fultz, who is still recovering from a torn ACL.
Without those four players, the Magic will be very thin in the backcourt. R.J. Hampton could be thrust into a larger role much like he was at the end of the 2020-21 season. Gary Harris and Mychal Mulder are the only two other guards listed on the roster currently.
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This is not the first thumb injury that he has dealt with since being selected by the Orlando Magic, as he injured his left thumb during Summer League play in August. On the season, Jalen Suggs is averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game.
