The Magic have struggled this season as injuries to key players have prevented them from getting any momentum. They have a 4-7 record coming into Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Bucks and will be looking for their first home win of the season.
Luckily, they should have some reinforcements to help in their efforts to get back on track, as starting point guard Jalen Suggs has been upgraded to available after missing the last eight games with a right knee bone bruise, the team announced (via Twitter).
The elite defensive guard played just three games before suffering the bone bruise, and had struggled to get going offensively out of the gate, hitting double-digit scoring just once, though he recorded at least five assists in all three contests.
Suggs will come off the bench on Friday behind Anthony Black, the team noted (Twitter link).
Black has played well in Suggs’ absence, averaging career highs in points (17.8), rebounds (6.0), assists (5.5), and steals (1.9) while hitting 43.6% of his threes. Black’s success, combined with his impending free agency and the team’s struggles, has led some to wonder if he could become available on the trade market as Orlando continues to search for answers.
Jamal Cain and Tristan Da Silva are also available after working through a left shoulder contusion and left calf strain, respectively.