The Orlando Magic secured their first home victory of the season by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 107-99 in an NBA Cup matchup on Friday.
The win extended the team’s current winning streak to three games, bringing their overall record to 5-7 while the Bucks dropped to 1-12, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
A key development for Orlando was the return of Jalen Suggs, who had been sidelined for eight games due to a knee injury.
The 25-year-old guard played 21 minutes off the bench, recording three points, two rebounds, and three assists.
Although he struggled with his efficiency, shooting 1-of-8 from the field, his presence was noted by the coaching staff.
Magic coach Sean Sweeney addressed the decision to bring Suggs off the bench, noting that the team was focused on managing his physical workload after the injury, per ClutchPoints.
Sweeney emphasized that the player’s value extends beyond his shooting performance.
“His impact was felt immediately,” Sweeney said, as reported by Sentinel Sports.
The coach further highlighted Suggs’ defensive contributions and his ability to facilitate plays for his teammates.
Suggs has struggled with durability since being selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
He has managed to play at least 60 games in a single season only once during his professional career.
Despite these challenges, the team views him as a vital two-way weapon when he is healthy and available to play.
The Magic are scheduled to host the Boston Celtics on Monday following a two-day break.
The team continues to look for consistency as they attempt to build on their recent momentum in the Eastern Conference standings, according to local coverage.