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When Jalen Suggs tossed his mouthpiece off the court after he was bumped by LaMelo Ball roughly halfway through the first quarter of Thursday’s game at Charlotte, the Magic guard was quickly assessed a technical fine from official Scott Foster. What Suggs didn’t know at the time was that his wallet would take a hit, too. Suggs was fined $25,000 for “throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of the spectator stands,” the NBA announced Saturday afternoon.
Jason Beede: FINAL (OT): #Magic 136, Wizards 131 About as ugly as they come for Orlando, but it wins its sixth in a row behind 28 points from Jalen Suggs, 26 from Tristan da Silva and 22 from Desmond Bane.
Along with being frustrated with himself, Banchero added that he was “frustrated with the overall state of the team” during the first half of the season. Banchero averaged 21.3 points on 45.4% shooting from the field, 8.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 43 appearances prior to the All-Star break. The Magic’s first-half record, however, didn’t help Banchero’s cause — they opened 1-4 before landing at 28-25 at the break. Injuries have also unquestionably played a role in the Magic’s struggles, as Banchero and fellow starters Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have each missed significant time. Banchero, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick, missed 10 games with a left groin strain suffered in early December, yet blamed himself for the Magic’s slow start. “As a team, we didn’t really find a rhythm at the start of the year,” Banchero said. “Some of that had to do with me being injured and coming back. Just frustrating in that aspect.”
Jason Beede: FINAL: #Magic 115, Mavs 114 Orlando survives in the closing moments and Dallas can't get a shot off. Tristan da Silva scores 19 off the bench, Jalen Suggs adds 17, Paolo Banchero with 16 and Wendell Carter Jr. with the winner and 15 points.
According to Suggs, it was all thanks to new teammate Jevon Carter. “I got the haircut in light of Jevon,” Suggs said after practice Monday ahead of Tuesday’s game at Kia Center against the Wizards. “I’m trying to follow his footsteps with the baldy.”
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“My favorite part about (him) is, he’s held me accountable on multiple occasions,” Suggs said about Carter. “Just raw, uncut comms, not trying to sugarcoat, not trying to make me feel good. He’s just sharing real truth with me and I’ve appreciated that. “It’s been nice having him around,” Suggs added.
Orlando Magic PR: INJURY UPDATE: @OrlandoMagic guard Jalen Suggs (back strain) will be available to play tonight vs Houston.
Jason Beede: #Magic guard Jalen Suggs (back strain) is listed as Questionable for Tuesday’s game at the Lakers. Also of note, the injury description for Suggs has changed from “back spasms” to “back strain,” according to the NBA injury report.
Orlando Magic PR: INJURY UPDATE: @OrlandoMagic guard Jalen Suggs will not play today at Phoenix due to back spasms.
Shams Charania: Franz Wagner has missed 25 of the last 29 games since sustaining the high ankle sprain on Dec. 7. This continues a run of injury woes for the Magic. Over last season and this campaign, Orlando's trio of Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs have played in only 14.1% of games (19 of 135).
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Jason Beede: Earlier after shootaround, I asked #Magic guard Jalen Suggs about facing Gary Harris with the Bucks: “That was our vet. Gary was a big influence for us. … I’m really excited to see Gary. Sad we’re missing Cole. I was looking forward to that as well.”
Jason Beede: Earlier after shootaround, #Magic guard Jalen Suggs said Seattle native Paolo Banchero was “jubilant” after his Seahawks won the #SuperBowl on Sunday. “He was jubilant all night.” Suggs said. “I’m sure he will be for the rest of the year, to be honest.”
The Magic have some additional help on the way. Cornerstone forward Franz Wagner is expected to play after missing 25 of the last 27 games with an ankle injury. He will, however, be on a heavy minutes restriction. “He’s an All-Star, to be honest, when he’s healthy,” said Magic guard Jalen Suggs of Franz. “Having him back is huge. The gravity he pulls on offense (and) the way he’s been guarding defensively. Just having that back as part of our unit makes a big difference.”
Dan Savage: Since the start of last season, the trio of Paolo, Franz and Suggs have played in only 17 of the @OrlandoMagic ’s 126 regular season games together - just 13.5% of the time. In the 136 mins they’ve been on the court together this season, Orlando is shooting 52.2% FG & 38.3% 3PTs.
