Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs is available to play in Wednesday night’s season opener against the visiting Miami Heat, head coach Jamahl Mosley announced.
Suggs has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury during Orlando’s 121-113 win over the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 25. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in March to remove a cartilage fragment in his left knee and missed the remainder of that season.
“We know what he brings to the table,” Mosley said on Wednesday. “His energy, his toughness, (and) his defensive presence as the head of the snake defensively. Also, his controlling of the floor on the offensive end.”
Teammate Franz Wagner also is aware of how Suggs can impact the game.
“I’m super happy for him,” Wagner said. “We definitely need Jalen. His energy, (his) defense, (and ability) to make big plays. (He’s) one of our most important players on the team.”
Signed in October 2024 to a five-year, $150.5 million extension, Suggs averaged a career-high 16.2 points and 4.0 rebounds along with 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 35 games (all starts) last season.
Suggs, 24, has averaged 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 211 games (174 starts) since being selected by the Magic with the fifth overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga.
