Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs left Friday’s game against the Raptors in a wheelchair after suffering a painful non-contact back injury.
The incident occurred when Suggs rushed to double-team Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley and collapsed to the ground, clutching his back in visible agony.
The former Gonzaga star appeared to be in significant distress as teammates and staff looked on, before being assisted off the court in a wheelchair.
“He was in a lot of pain,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said postgame. “He’s back in the locker room now. We’ll have him re-evaluated tomorrow. Right now, it’s looking like back spasms.”
Suggs, who contributed six points in 13 minutes before the injury, left the game, which Orlando ultimately won 106-97.
Sports medicine expert Dr. Brian Sutterer noted that if the diagnosis is confirmed as back spasms, Suggs likely won’t face an extended absence.
Jalen Suggs exited the game in a wheelchair after a non-contact back injury in the second quarter 🙏
(via @BleacherReport)
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 4, 2025
Dr. Sutterer suggested that if Jalen Suggs does not require an MRI for his back issue, he could potentially return to action within a few days.
However, if the injury turns out to involve a nerve or disc issue, Suggs could face a more extended recovery period.
The fourth-year guard, who played a career-high 75 games last season, has battled injuries throughout his NBA career. In his rookie year, he appeared in only 48 games due to a broken right thumb, and he played just 53 games the following season.
This season, Suggs has been a consistent starter for the Magic, averaging a career-best 16.4 points per game.
Orlando’s next game is scheduled for Sunday against the Utah Jazz, though Suggs’ availability remains uncertain.
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