The Orlando Magic‘s effort to try and tie their first-round series up against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night took a turn for the worse very early in the game. This is after starting point guard Jalen Suggs was forced off the floor following what appears to be a serious knee injury.
Suggs could not put any weight on his left knee as his teammates carried him back to the bench after less than eight minutes played in the opening quarter. It did not look good.
Orlando Magic News: Jalen Suggs Leaves Cavs Game in First Quarter With Knee Injury
The injury occurred after Cavs superstar Donovan Mitchell inadvertently bumped knees with Suggs as the former took off for a fadeaway jumper:
erfdjghkhgntrt pic.twitter.com/IGVqqhlGSR
— Vito Corleonie (@VCorleonie) April 22, 2024
Jalen Suggs is in visible pain after colliding with Donovan Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/bI2HC2venW
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) April 22, 2024
Suggs immediately hit the deck after the play, and he looked like he was in considerable pain. Suggs then had to be helped off the floor, and it appears like he won’t be able to return in this one:
ertfgknberkjgnre pic.twitter.com/ffqC1t3WjZ
— CyrusTheVirus (@CyrusTheVirusP) April 22, 2024
As of writing, there has been no confirmation from the Magic on whether or not Suggs will be able to return as well as what type of injury he has suffered here. However, it wouldn’t be a complete shock if he is forced to sit out the remainder of the game, and perhaps miss some time because of this knock.
Suggs has logged with zero points, three rebounds, and one assist in eight minutes of action.
It goes without saying that the Magic will have an ever tougher task ahead of them with Suggs potentially out of the picture. Cavs star Donovan Mitchell has been on fire to start Game 2, with the five-time All-Star now up to 16 points in the mid-way point of the second quarter.
Going down 0-2 in the series is not ideal for the Magic, but the silver lining here is that at least this first-round clash now shifts to Orlando for Games 3 and 4.
UPDATE: Suggs is now questionable to return after being diagnosed with a left knee strain:
Magic say guard Jalen Suggs has been diagnosed with a left knee strain and is questionable to return to tonight’s Game 2 at Cleveland.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 23, 2024
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